How to Answer "Why do You Want to be a Doctor?" | Ask Dr. Gray Ep. 192

[@isaakorede2743]

This Podcast directly applies to me. I am a nurse with similar years of experience too. I have been on the premed journey for over 3 years now and eventually wrote the MCAT. Last week, against all odds, I got my first medical school acceptance. Thank you Dr Gray, I learnt a lot from your podcast.

[@greenkatana552]

I hope she reads this but she will likely have to move away for the random match process of the residency please change paths before you go down this long road

[@annb8296]

Hello Dr. Gray I don't know if you can answer this question. If not, that's okay. I went to the ER yesterday. During check-in the nurse asked me what year it was, who is the Vice President and where I was. I answered the questions and should have asked why they were asking me these things but I did not. However, today it is really bothering me. Is this something new hospitals are doing? They have never done that before. Also, the hospital never had a guard at the entrance before who had to check your purse and bags and make you walk through a metal detector before you checked in. If you can answer this I would appreciate it. Thank you.

[@abhigyachennamsetty8318]

Hey Ann, I obviously don’t know exactly what the circumstances of your visit were, but I just thought I’d take a shot at answering your question because I recently completed my EMT training, and the check in questions sounded pretty familiar to me. Basically, the “can you tell me your name, where you are, what day/year it is” questions are for care providers to assess if you are experiencing any changes to your mental status like loss of memory, confusion, etc. It’s pretty standard for us to ask all patients this as part of the intro and to help us gather information about your health status so we can help you get the right type of care as quickly as possible. As for the bag check and metal detectors, that is likely just hospital policy for general security. Hope this helps!

[@danielsayre3385]

That's a tool used to guage an individual's level of mental clarity. 4 questions. Who you are, where you are, what's the year/date, can you answer an easy question like "how many legs do dogs have?". If someone has a diminished mental capacity (they get one of these questions wrong) I might ask the question once more or rephrase it to clarify, but it usually means they may not have the mental capacity to make informed medical decisions in that moment.

[@annb8296]

@@abhigyachennamsetty8318 Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your answers which makes it more understandable. I just have never been asked those questions before. I would have preferred if they would have told me they were going to ask me some questions. It was rather confusing to me at the time why on earth they were asking me questions they already knew. Thanks again for your reply 🩵

[@annb8296]

@@danielsayre3385 Thank you for your response. It was very confusing to me at the time as I wondered why they were asking me those questions they already knew. I was wondering did they already think I couldn't answer them and suspected my behavior was off or something. I would have preferred that they told me in advance they were going to ask me a few questions as it wouldn't have seemed so weird to me. Thanks so much for your reply 🩵

[@Frankybeanselevators]

I'm not sure the math adds up, taking 2 years pre-reqs, 4 years medical school, 4 years residency... she's losing out on lost wages, she's looking at 1,000,000 on lost wages, plus $300,000 in debt, on average a family doc makes $60,000 a year more than a NP... it's going to take her more than 20 years to recoup her loses... but I guess she gotta follow her dreams.

[@acd1168]

I agree. I feel like it’s a waste for her. She gives off “I want the title” vibes.

[@laelannydavis9175]

@@acd1168it’s not the title it’s the ability to do more for your patient…so money is not the focus and how hard the path is neither is a title.

[@JesusChristTheOnlyTruth]

Do non-traditional persons take these prerequisites as non-degree students? Or, do they go for a second undergrad?

[@freyja77]

I was pre-PA for a while so for myself, and most people I talked to about it on forums etc, we just attend as non-degree seeking. This is of course for people with a degree who have decided to pursue something new. I’ve just been taking the necessary prerequisites at a community college.

[@redshark618]

Non degree seeking. An additional degree requires upper level courses and a capstone that you don't need. Easier and cheaper to take your prereqs a la carte

[@acd1168]

Non-degree

[@greenkatana552]

I hope she reads this but she will likely have to move away for the random match process of the residency please change paths before you go down this long road