Why are fewer and fewer young people choosing to become doctors?

My mistake... 😵 I honestly thought we had already moved past the ridiculous notion that people choose medical school just because they want to put in some hard work and hours to rake in a massive paycheck. ☕ Because if that's really their primary motivation, then they won't be choosing medicine at all.

Some people are constantly preaching that you should pick XY over med school just because it’s a shorter grind, involves less studying, and pays better in the short term... blah, blah, blah. It’s like they can't wrap their heads around the idea that some people actually have a calling for something else entirely, rather than just chasing a paycheck.

I mean, sure, you could major in Computer Science just because those developers pull in a certain salary 🙄, but if you couldn't care less about coding, isn't it pretty shortsighted to commit years of your life to it? And if you force yourself through a degree you hate, who’s to say you won't just drop out halfway through when the burnout hits?

It's pretty obvious that money isn't the (only 😁) reason anyone decides to become a doctor. 😁

Donna Chavez4 said:Unless they’re some kind of absolute genius or a total academic workaholic,

And here's another thing I forgot to mention... just because someone happens to be a genius or a massive overachiever, as you put it, doesn't actually guarantee anything. You see plenty of brilliant minds or straight-A nerds who walk away from medicine entirely once they realize it's not their calling. On the flip side, there are plenty of perfectly average people who make it through. Besides, who's to say that being a top-tier student automatically translates to being a great doctor? 😈

I honestly don't know what kind of image people have in their heads when they think of med students, but let me tell you—there is every single type of person imaginable. 😬 Just like any other major at an American university.

Megan Reed said:Some people constantly argue that it’s better to major in something like Computer Science instead of pre-med because the degree takes less time, requires less studying, and pays more in the long run... blah, blah, blah... but I suppose the question is, how do you explain to them that some people just have a natural affinity for *something else entirely*, and they choose their path based on that?

I mean, sure, you could always go into software engineering just because the salary figures look good 🙄, but if you have absolutely zero interest in coding, it seems a bit questionable to commit to that life, doesn't it? And if you enroll in a program that doesn't actually interest you, who's to say you won't just end up dropping out halfway through?

It seems fairly obvious that money isn't the (only 😁) reason people decide to pursue medical school. 😁

I find myself agreeing completely with your point, though I also suspect that a significant portion of people weren't driven by those classic scientific or humanitarian motivations to begin with, so they're essentially being filtered out now... which might be where this supposed "decline in interest" is actually coming from.🙂

Jacob Wood9 said:I'm completely on board with what you're saying.

-la. 🙂 😁

Donna Chavez4 said:Any rational person looking at medicine today is going to have a hard time pulling the trigger because:
- You don't want to spend half your life just hitting the books! Unless you're some kind of absolute genius or a total nerd—and we're talking serious study here—you're looking at over 10 years of school. And if you want to specialize? You’re basically training from the time you start kindergarten until you're 30... leaving you maybe 20 years before retirement hits.
And just think about someone finally entering the workforce in their 30s... by then, their entire peer group is already established. Some have been working for a decade, most have started families—kids might even be finishing middle school by then—and they've probably already bought houses, while our doctor is just "starting life" in his 30s...

I always use this one friend as an example. He finished a trade program, got married, has two kids, built a house, and has years of work under his belt... then he runs into an old high school buddy he hasn't seen in ages. He asks him what he's up to, and the guy just goes, "Oh, I just graduated. Heading home now."😬

That's just the reality for anyone chasing a career in science.
Personally, I don't see it as much of a sacrifice if it's actually what you want to do...
It's just the standard path—the Master's, the PhD, the post-docs... that's just the job description for a scientist.
It'd only be a tragedy if you spent all those years researching and studying, only to realize you actually wanted a 9-to-5 and a quiet family life. In that case, yeah, there's really no point in making your life that difficult...

Megan Reed said:Some people are always going on about how you should study Computer Science instead of med school because it’s shorter, less studying, more money right out of the gate... blah blah blah...

Sandra King86 said:That’s just the reality everyone faces when they decide to go into science.
I don't really see it as some huge sacrifice if it's actually what you want to do.
...

I mean, obviously, it would be a total tragedy if you spent years studying and researching only to realize you actually wanted a standard 9-to-5 and a quiet life with a family. In that case, yeah, there’s really no point in making your life miserable like that.

Two great takes on the whole "Why aren't more kids wanting to become doctors?" thing.
I guess I just don't get why everyone acts so shocked that fewer kids are choosing med school lately.

Megan Reed said:From what I can tell, if you're in a field like medicine, you're basically studying for life. 🥳 Like, once you wrap up med school, you can't just let your brain rot and act like, "Eh, I don't really care about the latest breakthroughs." 🙄 Learning and picking up new stuff doesn't just stop because you got that degree.

That isn't just true for doctors, though. In most scientific fields, you're learning forever. Honestly, some branches move even faster than medicine does. Just imagine a software engineer who disappears to a deserted island for five years. When they finally come back, an average high schooler would probably know more about their job than they do. Even with trades, you have to keep leveling up your skills your whole life. Every master craftsman out there has to stay on top of new tech year after year. Take my local mechanic, for example—ten years ago, his shop was mostly just wrenches and hammers, but now? It’s packed with computers and high-tech diagnostic gear for fixing cars. So, I really don't agree with your point that in other jobs "you can just let your brain rot and act like, 'Eh, I don't really care about the latest breakthroughs,'" because clearly, even in the trades, you can't just coast.

Megan Reed said:From what I understand, in fields like medicine, you’re basically a student for life. 🥳 You can't just walk out of med school and decide to stop keeping up with the latest breakthroughs—that's just not how it works. 🙄 The learning process doesn't really end once you get that degree.

Yeah, that’s how it should work... but unfortunately, reality has other plans... 😢

Most "continuing education" ends up being those weekend seminars sponsored by big pharma companies—mostly just a way to nudge doctors toward their specific brands rather than anything else... 😕 ...but when it comes to actual scientific breakthroughs (the kind that win Nobel Prizes), nobody seems interested, mostly because you have to foot the bill for that training yourself... 😠 👎

If you’re looking for the best shot at landing something solid—I mean, actually getting somewhere with the right connections—you really have to look at where the old-school networks still hold all the cards. If you've got those family ties or high-level professional links, you're already halfway there, but let's be real: if you're just flying solo without any meaningful pull, you might find yourself spinning your wheels. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but sometimes being "well-connected" is the only way to bypass the usual grind. If you aren't playing that game, things can get pretty stagnant, pretty fast.

Honestly, the job market right now is looking pretty grim for medical professionals. If you’re a doctor—and especially if you're a dentist—you’re facing an uphill battle. It feels like there's a massive surplus of people with those degrees floating around. Unless you happen to have some heavy-hitting connections or a way in through a family friend at a major hospital group, you're basically out of luck. You end up stuck trying to land a gig in some tiny, remote town in middle America that you couldn't even find on a map, and even then, there's absolutely no guarantee you'll actually get the job. It's rough out there.

by arslan

Look, I’ve gotta get this off my chest because it’s one of those things that just gets under my skin. I’m a born-and-bred Chicagoan, through and through, and honestly? I refuse to pack up and move to some tiny rural town for a job. It feels like a slap in the face when people from all over the Midwest migrate into the city and take up space, only to hog all the good positions through pure nepotism. You know the type—they land these cushy roles because they "know a guy," and then they never even bother to head back to their own hometowns. It’s frustrating as hell. I’d genuinely rather work at a local pharmacy than deal with the isolation of a small town. I can’t say for certain, but I’ve got this nagging feeling that twenty or thirty years ago, getting a medical residency was actually doable. Nowadays? Medicine is an absolute grind. Between the brutal on-call shifts and the endless years of schooling, the payoff feels pretty slim if you don't have the right connections to grease the wheels. The bottom line is this: today’s generation is clearly sharper, or at least way better informed, which is actually a good thing. I mean, I'm genuinely happy about that progress. But man, I really hope that at the next round of medical school admissions, there are only like three applicants left. God willing, we'll finally see some actual competition again.

I don't know, I guess I wouldn't say it was any easier to land a residency twenty or thirty years ago... I mean, it's probably not that hard nowadays unless you're being super picky about which hospital or clinic you aim for, and honestly, things might get even tougher in a year or two if those grim projections from the AMA actually come true regarding the shortage of about 300 surgeons and internists (which, let's be real, is just the fallout from some pretty questionable staffing decisions made back in the day)

Just as a little side note though, I've been noticing who's actually enrolling in med school these days... it's mostly women, which I totally don't mind because you kind of need that hyper-focused, perfectionist streak that a lot of women have, but I feel like I haven't seen a guy at training in the last four or five years who wasn't some totally feminized dude with perfectly coiffed hair and a stethoscope draped over his shoulder looking all polished 🙄 🙄 🙄

I honestly can't say for sure if things were easier back in the day—if you were around during those years, you’d probably have a better handle on it than I do—but trying to land a residency in a major hub like New York City these days feels like playing the lottery. It’s basically impossible unless you’ve got some serious connections or a massive amount of leverage with med school and the hospital networks. As for all this talk about "soft" guys running around? Honestly, we had our fair share of that when I was in school, though it wasn't nearly as widespread. The crowd I hung out with back then was actually pretty solid. What really used to get under my skin was how intensely serious everyone took medical school. Everyone was obsessed with publishing research papers and acting like they were part of some elite demo, or even turning down patients just to protect their GPA. For me, the goal was simple: pass the exam, get out, and go find something fun to do. I didn't give a damn about the prestige. But hey, life comes at you fast—now I'm stuck dealing with the fact that my parents aren't surgeons, so I don't have anyone pulling strings to smooth out my path to a specialty.

silentmason15 said:....All I cared about was passing that exam so I could finally get out there and just live my life—party, chill, and honestly... I was just totally over it....

After what you just said, I think you really hit the nail on the head regarding the issue... honestly, you're spot on.

I guess it doesn't even matter now that my parents aren't doctors—could've really helped if they could've just smoothed out my residency...

I don't really see any injustice in it... honestly... 🤔Just someone who wishes their parents could step in and fix the mess they're in...
Wait—did I totally misread you...?

doc_1 said:Just a quick side note—what’s with the current med school demographic? It’s mostly women nowadays. No shade, because you kind of need that obsessive, perfectionist streak to survive med school, which women tend to have in spades. But honestly, in the last few years of clinical rotations, I haven't seen a guy who wasn't some totally feminized type with perfectly coiffed hair and a stethoscope draped over his neck like a fashion accessory. 🙄 🙄 🙄

Medicine just isn't the draw for guys anymore. They can make way more money and grab more prestige in other fields.

Charlie Brown said:Yeah, that should be the standard... but unfortunately, it isn't... 😢

Most "continuing education" just turns into weekend seminars sponsored by big pharma companies, basically bribing doctors to push their specific brands over others... 😕 ...but when it comes to actual scientific breakthroughs (medical ones worthy of a Nobel Prize), nobody gives a damn because you have to pay for that training out of your own pocket... 😠 👎

Give me a break! What you're talking about isn't medicine; it's just peddling high-end products. And honestly, you could do that job—just like you do now—as a construction worker! 😈

I don't really see the injustice here; it just sounds like someone wishing their parents could swoop in and fix their mess.
Or am I totally missing the point?

by karmela

The reason I said that is because, let's be real, it’s almost always the people with the right connections who land those coveted residencies. And in like 90% of cases, those "connections" come straight from parents who happen to be doctors. With how many students go to medical school these days, you've got tons of kids with one or both parents already in the field. While some of us were practically living in the library—me included, I basically lived on caffeine and textbooks—there are plenty of others who weren't pulling 24-hour study sessions but still snagged a specialty spot just because of who their parents know. It's frustrating. Some people try to volunteer, but let's be honest, volunteering in your late 20s means you're working for free while essentially carrying your parents on your back. There's no way they get a fair shot when the "connected" crowd snatches up everything right in front of them. Others work as junior residents at hospitals just waiting for a residency opening, getting promised time and time again that "it's coming soon," only to be left hanging indefinitely. So yeah, when I used the term "Mommy and Daddy," it might sound sarcastic, but it's the blunt truth.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention: when they open up applications for a medical specialty, everyone already knows who’s walking away with the prize. Among those of us actually heading in for the interviews, the rumor mill is constantly churning because it’s pretty much a given that the spot goes to some director's son or daughter. Honestly, for certain interviews, don't even bother showing up—they won't even call you in. They just announce the winner after the fact because the whole process was nothing more than a complete farce. Take the big university hospital in Chicago, for example; I don't even know who landed the residency there. Aside from the fact that they didn't even invite me to one of the interviews, they couldn't even be bothered to send out a courtesy notice by mail letting us know who was selected, which is what's standard practice. Now, the local community hospital over in Evanston is actually decent about that stuff, but most places? It's all rigged. These job postings are nothing but a damn formality.

silentmason15 said:... some students would turn down higher grades just to protect their GPA. Honestly, my only goal was to pass the exam so I could get out of there and go party. I didn't give a damn about the numbers.

I always looked at it the same way. I mean, what’s the point of having a perfect GPA when the jobs go to the kids with the right connections anyway?
Your comment actually reminds me of this one buddy of mine. We were taking this brutal exam at college—one of those absolute nightmares. Most people are just relieved if they can scrape by on any passing grade within three tries, mostly because retaking it costs a fortune in extra fees. But this guy? He studied every single word in the textbook, practically memorized the whole syllabus, and the professor gave him a B. Instead of taking the win, he jumps up and goes, "No way, Professor. Don't write that down. I'm retaking this entire thing until I get an A."

It is truly disheartening to realize that after roughly six years of grueling academic labor, you haven't actually achieved any true independence; instead, you find yourself merely at the starting line, still tethered to the whims of various "sponsors."

Veterinarian

Frank Alvarez8 said:Give me a break! What you're talking about isn't medicine—it's just peddling high-end products. And for that kind of job, you could easily be—just like you are—a construction worker!😈

Oh, please... 🙂 😁

I won't try to calculate your IQ here, but:

The 1998 NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE was awarded to Louis Ignarro, effectively tackling one of the biggest killers on the planet right now—heart disease and strokes, which account for about 53% of deaths... 🙂

To recommend something that’s a true "21st-century health revolution," you don't need a fancy degree—you just need a little common sense. And honestly? There are plenty of construction workers, chimney sweeps, or mechanics out there who have plenty of it... unlike some people... 😉 😁