Is Being a Doctor Worth It ?

Is being a doctor worth it? This is a question that often arises when considering a career in medicine. The path to becoming a doctor requires immense dedication, years of rigorous education, and an unwavering commitment. However, being a doctor offers a wide range of opportunities beyond traditional medical practice. These opportunities include engaging in research, developing products, working in health tech, and even venturing into entrepreneurship. Whether or not being a doctor is worth it ultimately depends on individual perspectives, passion, and various factors.

In this episode of the Disrupting Doctors Career podcast, Dr Mariane Melo shares valuable insights on how she has leveraged her medical background to build a diverse career. As a clinical doctor, entrepreneur, and chief medical officer of Dem DX, she demonstrates how being a doctor can open doors to diverse opportunities beyond traditional clinical practice. Dr Melo's story highlights the importance of finding and nurturing one's passion within the medical field, even in the face of challenges.

If you are considering getting into medicine or are in medicine and you’re wondering if it’s worth it, this episode is for you. Dr Mariane Melo's experiences and perspectives shed light on the rewards and challenges of being a clinician. By understanding how she has remained passionate about her roles despite the obstacles, you will gain valuable insights and guidance for your own journey in medicine.

What You Will Learn:

[00:01] Intro and what in for you in today’s show
[03:10] When Dr Mariane started diversifying her career and why
[06:39] How Dr Mariane to registered with the general medical council and got her degrees recognised in the UK
[09:08] How Dr Mariane became a doctor entrepreneur and what it took
[11:58] The perception of being a doctor and an entrepreneur in Brazil Vs. UK
[14:24] How being a doctor influenced Dr Mariane's diverse career path
[16:32] How Dr Mariane juggles both entrepreneurship and practising medicine
[23:30] Access to health care and what Dem DX is doing to address this problem with technology
[27:05] Dr Mariane's perspective on shortening the medical degree to address the shortage in the workforce
[30:00] The roles that Dr Mariane feels have more influence on the NHS health system
[36:26] Dr Mariane's advice to upcoming and potential doctors wondering if it’s worth it
[40:19] How to reach out and connect with Dr Mariane

Standout Quotes:

“If you want to develop innovation for Healthcare, you need to be a Healthcare professional and integrated into the system.” - Dr Mariane [15:09]
“It’s difficult to influence the system as a doctor but it’s easier to influence the system as an entrepreneur, but it’s also not an easy task.”- Dr Mariane [13:52]
“Making a change, a difference and an impact is not just about the one-to-one, it’s also about the bigger picture and how we can help the larger society.”- Dr Abeyna [33:50]
“In the past studying medicine and becoming a doctor was something that would be financially worth it; you knew you would have a good job and a good salary, which is not true anymore.’- Dr Mariane [36:52]
“If you really like medicine and you're interested in health, it is worth pursuing it; it’s such a privilege to be a doctor; it is the one professional you can be grounded and understand people's reality.”- Dr Mariane [38:18]