This video is not meant to tell anybody how to live their lives. If you have a dream, chase it. Don't let me or anybody else dissuade you from it. Best of luck to everybody
Hi Santiago, it will never feel normal to leave medicine after dedicating years towards it but I am happy you figured out this isnt your passion anymore. You may still be passionate about it, but basically you found something that you are more passionate about...creating content and I couldn't be happier for you. You will always have your medical degree, you will always be a doctor and it will always be your backup plan which you have already put into place. Now is the time to go hard on your content creation. Trying to "play safe" is not the way out. You need to live life on your own terms and be happy and healthy. Just remember freedom is the most important thing.....time freedom, location free and financial freedom!
This is really shocking to me.Personally I had 3 people I used to follow.All of them were really admirable medicine students , brilliant.But then you start to realize they decided to choose different pathways you thought they will follow.It's not bad.It just made me think that everyone just want to have a happy and enjoyable life.Personally, I will do my residency and end up working partial-time.As you said Santiago.There are many things we need to value.Thank you.
I look up to you. You are an idle for me. I would say they are just three years for internal medicine residency so maybe do them. Then maybe rely on passive income solely and part time from time to time whilst making what you are passionate about. Looking up what you will do next. Also security isn't for you, it is for your current and future family. We do what we can for that security, i know i can just die after this comment but that doesn't mean i should take bold risks because of that. Good luck with all the love🤞.
@@mayugabrielmiranoortizdeor3888 Same here. Ali Abdaal also quit to become a full time content creator. I'm starting to question the reliability of their advice: it shows that being too hardworking can backfire, imo. After looking up to them, I've realized that maybe my mild "lazyness" is what is protecting me from burnout in the medical profession. I've decided I just want to follow healthier real life models instead of virtual ones.
Santiago: You are absolutely right as we should always build our path the way we want. But as a 44yo IMG, I would like to give you an advice: as an ECFMG-certified IMG, do not lose this chance to be US-trained. Medicine will always provide you a decent income. Internet may be tempting, nowadays, but the is no guarantee lifelong. Think about it. Best of luck for you.
Hello mr. Lopes. Could you please tell us your path to residency. I’m old IMG, studying for step 2 and 3. Hoping to get into IM residency. What do you think if I have a chance?Thanks ahead.
@@iabezhanidze4592 Hi, Ia. I do really believe you will get your spot. I would be afraid of failing if we all IMGs pursue a very competitive specialty. I am a pathologist and Pathology, as well as IM, is not so competitive. In fact, I am still studying for the steps... I was meaning that Santiago should not give up having a US residency training because he passed the steps... Doing residency in the US is a one-of-a-king opportunity that should not be lost. By the way, what would you suggest to me as good resources for steps 1 and 2 CK?
@@lisandrolopes3747 Thank You for your response, dr. Lopes. I m currently preparing for step 2ck. Watched a lot of videos and contents and decided to choose uworld 2ck QBank as primary resource for study and practice ( it’s over 4000q ), was doing Amboss subject wise , uworld step 3 QBank (it provides similar concepts, extra practice questions) and NBMEs. Its already feels overwhelming and a lot, but if you need more resources, you can decide by yourself. Got some books( step up to medicine), but most do not recommend to go into books, since uworld is excellent study resource. Best luck .
This video really resonated with me. During my final year of med school (I studied in Europe so it’s a bit different than in the USA) I was already 6 years deep into medicine. I decided to study medicine because I genuinely love it and my grades reflected that. I was on top of my class. However, being a pathological perfectionist took a big toll on me and once I was done with all lectures and clinical rotations I was completely burnt out. I had no will power to prepare exams and to study from huge books. It kinda lost the meaning and I didn’t have the passion I used to have. Also, still being financially dependent on my parent put a burden on my mind (even though they were more than happy to help me through school). That was when I picked up drawing again, after more than 15 years. It was a great vent and I was able to express other side of myself that I neglected for years. Little by little, I started gaining more social media attention and people wanted to buy my art. I quickly gained financial independence and I was fulfilled, because I had a purpose again. I decided to slowly get back to preparing exams and I did eventually finished med school with very high average grade. Once I finished the school, the whole new world opened to me. Suddenly, I didn’t have this burden that was pressing onto me for few years. Even though doing art liberated me on one hand, on the other I had this huge pressure and that was my unfinished med school. And I think that’s always the case with us who love medicine. We can try to quit it, but one way or another we will get back to it. Because love for medicine is strong and being a doctor is not just a regular job, for many it’s a calling and a life-long dedication. At this moment in my life I can’t Imagine not working as a doctor. But I also can’t imagine my life without doing art as well. Right now, I’m learning German in order to start working in Germany. It is a long process that requires additional time, but after all these years I can sacrifice another one to learn the language and finally start my medical career. I will definitely choose a specialty that will let me have a better work-life balance, because I’ve learnt that balance is the key to a happy life. And I wish you, and all of you who’ve read this, a happy and a well balanced life.
Thank you and same to you. I’m deciding to go to Med school after doing my bachelors and taking some time out of university to explore travelling and work in other fields for new experiences. You’re absolutely right it’s very much a calling, I don’t feel comfortable because it’s a part of who I am - it’s what makes me feel fulfilled. I love to enjoy life but I also feel my life feels complete when it’s in service for others and restoring quality of life
lets goo, I'm also about to start learning German, Perfect lifestyle and working hours, no county give you that so I'm doing my best to get that C1 ASAP!!
I know this feeling. True we end up coming back to medicine at some point in life if we leave it. I did left the practice for 10 years because of having a child with special needs among other things. I came back for some time and started the residency in Germany in Neurology just to realize I was not feeling it anymore. I had to step back again and really dig deep inside my mind to realize that in reality I got into medicine mostly because of the science of it. I had a great time doing lab research in Spain. So, now I'm studying to choose a better specialty, Pathology, because I think it offers me all I need at this moment of my life: work-life balance to still be responsible with my child while getting back to my beloved field lab and research and still helping people(even if indirectly). But yes, MEDICINE is really VOCATIONAL
I can empathize with this… I also went through med school thinking I was heading in a different direction, then the entrepreneur bug took over when I was in my 3rd year and at that point, the desire to practice was gone and the desire to build a business was all I could ever consider. Appreciate you sharing this… I think there are a LOT of med students (many that we work with tell us) that aren’t passionate about medicine but feel like they’ve worked so hard to make it and now just need to do it due to expectations. It’s good to see others who are willing to follow their passion rather than just doing what is expected of them. Again, thanks for sharing! (From Dr. Paul)
It isn't medical school, but I am at the point where I am doubting going to PA school. I can't seem to figure out if it is just burn out from trying to get there or the fear of such a big change making me see everything negative. I am an engineer who has been trying to get out of the factory and make a career change to something the is challenging and meaningful to me. I started prerequisites 6 years ago and finally just finished biochemistry and have all of them completed. I applied to a couple of programs. I got rejected from one after interview and put on a waitlist for another and am completely confused about my feelings regarding making the change. During the time that I have taken my prerequisites I have worked full time as an engineer and for a while worked a few shifts a month as a PCT while taking classes. I lost my mother to cancer, lost a very good friend to a car accident, had a couple of kids (one of which was early and had a NICU stay), and a bunch of stress maintaining relationships, my house and my vehicles along the way. I used to be excited about the change and thought it seemed like a good fit for me. I don't know if I am just burned out or forgot why I started this journey in the first place but I am really torn on whether or not I continue. There would be more financial and time related stress if I continued. But I also don't have another path that I am excited to pivot to. I am unsure about moving forward but dread the idea of staying where I am.
Hi. I am a second year neurology resident in South Korea. In my opinion, no one is truly happy as a trainee of medicine, especially in fields that have a lot of emergencies, night shifts, and where patients can end up dying or live with severe disabilities. The characteristic of the job requires a LOT of sacrifice, and I fully support your decision to pursuit your career based on your values. But to unhappy trainees who cannot quit/are not quitting for any reason like me, I like to think of my job as like a great coffee, where it tastes incredibly bitter with miserable workload but is amazingly fragrant, and like any good coffee the bitterness will not last, only the complex but pleasant aftertaste. Of course it is extremely bitter now, look for those scents of good memories with patients/coworkers/yourself, I am sure you will be surprised.
As a second year emergency resident from Egypt and one of those unhappy trainees who cannot quit, thank you so much for your comment :') I was having one of those difficult weeks thinking about quitting even though I don't have another plan :( I don't drink coffee so can't relate to the analogy :') but I will try to think about what you said
@@nooraelkenawi7823 hearing that makes me very happy! Emergency residents are the jewels for the world. Although not ideal, I imagine residents there are the backbone of the hostpitals as well. Best of luck for you and bear in mind that what you are doing is very important
I'm sorry, but I disagree. I'm five years in, and no, the bitterness does not disappear as long as you don't switch or climb the career ladder high enough that the night shifts disappear. Otherwise, the "sweet" moments with the patients are far and in-between the daily shit that you have to go through, especially now in COVID times. Is it interesting? Yes. But it's not helpful to anyone to pretend that the trade-off is anywhere close to reasonable.
This sadly applies to most careers, NOT just medicine. I studied hard for my career, got my PhD and travelled the world for my career. Sadly by the time I decided to become a mum my fertility had decreased and couldn't conceive for several years. They say girls should study and stand on their own feet but it comes with a price. Now I have two kids and work part time as I want to spend time with my kids and be there for them. Sadly when you have kids your career goes out the window and one says why study so many years if I was just going to be a stay at home mum? Society doesn't support professional mums. You have to sacrifice your free time or sleep time to finish a paper or finish a work task. No pain no gain.
Society chases the dollar, generations ago society cherished community but it's not like that anymore. Corporate ways changed everything and it has come with a heavy price.
"They say girls should study and stand on their own feet, but it comes with a price." "Society doesn't support professional mums." These are contradictory. You got what you want, although the decisions you took almost took you out.
A humble advice: Please do your residency and after that take up duty hrs of your desired time. That way you can manage both your content and youtube. But please don't quit medicine altogether, don't let your years of hard work go to waste. We can't see you going that way!
ikr. I think I have thought of this as a premed student. It baffles me how a grown up hasn't yet. I think I love medicine a lot, but definitely don't want to work more than 8h a day, so once it comes to discission making, I will take a residency path that will later let me work the hours that I am hoping. I don't mind for e.g. working for a months+then taking a month of, or working 12h/day for 3 days, then taking the rest of the week of. Or something that will allow me to explore life while still doing what I love.
This is a sunk cost fallacy. Your past actions are in the past. Every day you’re dropped into your life, and you should choose based on what you expect to get in the future not based on what you’ve done. Do what you think will lead to your best life not on how much work you’ve put into something. If that’s medicine that’s fantastic but don’t use your past time investment as the reason to continue if you don’t think it’s best for you anymore.
@@josephdahdouh2725 seems like a very naive way to think. How many people have the privilege of choosing their hours? It takes many more years of brutal training and work to reach such a point if ever.
Hey Santiago, so I finished a Neurology residency in the US this year, and I am going to be graduating from my current fellowship next year and start my first job. Your message resonated because yes, your life perspective changes over time. I got married during residency, had a daughter, and reconnected with my high school friends. I now find the relationships in my life the most rewarding, and I saw how much of an effect of the hours I put into training during medical school and residency had affected that. This really influenced the career path I'll be taking next year, which would be a flexible remote job, in order to free up the time to invest in my relationships and hobbies. You could definitely have a flexible medical career to engage in part of yourself that drew you to medicine in the first place, as well as pursue your other interests. You are a smart guy, I would say you only have one life to live, don't let others tell you how to live it.
Currently applying to residency and I’m contemplating FM or IM then heme/onc. I have extensional crisis daily because what if it’s north work it. Settle or have regrets.
@@Dekthagr8 i mean you’ve made it so far. you can have a flexible life in family med or u can work part time. if you’re truly interested i would say go for it
Hi, can you describe a little what this remote job is like? is it medical-relayed? using knowledge you gained from med school or residency? I am interested in becoming a doctor, but I have a major fear of not having enough time to spend on other things I love like family, hobbies/leisure, etc. which has been holding me back mentally and also from taking the steps I would need to take to get into medicine. It seems like such an interesting field, but I really value work-life balance and I don't know how much of that I'll be able to have and be happy with.
Great video! Talking from Brazil. I'm currently studying to become a psychiatrist, but it wasn't my first option for medical residency. In fact, I started this year in gynecology and obstetrics residency and ended up leaving after only two months. I did not find myself in the specialty and even doubted my choice of medicine. It was a rough time. But then I tried to give a second chance to medicine, kept working in clinics and remembered how I love med. I found out that I enjoy internal medicine, talking to patients and helping. I got motivated again and got back to the studies por the application. Every residency, every training period is difficult and it's not the dream job, but as we say in Brazil "there are two happinesses in the residency: when it starts and when it comes to an end." Whish you best, from Brazil!
This video is extremely encouraging. I went to pharmacy school in the states, obtained a pharmacy residency and dropped the residency after 6 months because I had lost my dream for clinical pharmacy in a hospital setting. I started pursuing music full time as a producer and singer, and I actually got a part time job working as a clinical pharmacist in an internal medicine clinic. Thank you for sharing your story! You have gained a sub.
This is the best video you've created! I'm here struggling with my life because getting into a medical residency was my dream but now it doesn't feel that way anymore!
Take guts to make this video! I can totally relate as a Second year IM resident who feels burnt out. Last year I was gun ho about specializing in cardiology or critical care. Things changed in my life and now I’m trying to figure out what to do after residency so I can have a balanced life. Thank you for the video
This was a very emotional video for me. I've been in medicine in the US for 20 yrs as a staff MD. I've gone through all these thoughts during those last 20 yrs. I've loved days... I've hated days. I've looked at alternatives... I've looked at maintaining. But most of all, I've looked at the rest of my life and what I want to do. I truly love PARTS of what I do... but I have grown bored with the largest part of what I do. Would I do it again? Today the answer would be No. Medicine took a huge amount of my time just to be able to actually work as a MD. But then again, I think of all the patients who smiled at me after I'd helped them. I think about alternatives for tomorrow... and I have no answer.
Dadnatron, I could have written that exact same paragraph that you wrote, myself. I am an ER doctor and I have worked for 20 years. I have done a lot of good, and I have had a lot of awarding moments, but I have completely lost the enthusiasm. It has become a grind. I am also always looking for an exit plan, but I simply don’t know what to do. I also have no answer. I wish you the best of luck.
I'm also on the verge of quitting medicine after doing all the USMLE exams, but unlike you i dont have a backup plan. So kinda lost as to which way to head. But good on you for taking that courageous decision and pursuing what you love to do!
Hey First of all congrats for clearing all those hard usmle steps! I can’t imagine what you must hv gone through! May I please know the reason about u quitting the journey?
Takes guts to be honest and it’s a good reminder of the hard sacrifices that medicine calls for. I think many of us don’t think about this. Thank you for posting this and good luck with everything as well.
I feel ya. I am leaving medicine for IT after getting acceptance. My journey to acceptance was very gruesome and realized the schools only care about money and don't take the health of their students into consideration. I cannot join a club that doesn't do as they teach.
You finished Med School and then changed to IT? Or changed before finishing it? I'm in my 4th year of Med School and also I’m seriusly thinking about changing to IT but don't know if its better changing now or after getting my MD Degree... considering that I've already invested 8 years in this path... what díd you do? And what should you do in my case?
@@cev9790 Mine is different. I made this decision after getting acceptance but did not start. I was a nontraditional who worked years after high-school b4 college.
@@cev9790 hey there! When I was a 3rd year medical student I quit medicine to study software engineering. Finished my degree in engineering and then went back to medicine because that's what I truly loved. My advice for you is that you pick up coding in your spare time, because you can absolutely learn it and become a great developer without going to college for it, if you're willing to put in the time, but still continue medicine. That way, by the end of it all, you'll be able to freely choose which field makes you the happiest. That's my advice from what I which I had done, because unlike most fields, coding is something you can learn along with still pursuing something else. It will be demanding but take advantage of the fact that you can do both and then be able to choose. Best of luck! :)
@@wiskassaquetas123 thanks!! I appreciatte too much your advice. Yes these days i've been thinking about doing that, learning to code while I finish my MD and decide at the end what to do...
I actually emailed you about this (if you remember) about your timeline for us residency. Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts and reflections. Rooting for you that you will succeed as a content creator! I am one of those med students who benefited so much from your videos- I have been and will continue to look forward to them. Your reflection makes me think of how I should prioritize and value my time for the things important to me than just merely following the norm of the narrow medical path. Life is too short! Thanks once again!
I'm having the same thoughts as a 3rd year medical student... But I'm choosing to do something like family medicine where it is not all-consuming. It really depends what you choose to specialize in it seems. Hats off to those doing internal medicine and surgery, you won't be doing much else. :)
I am an IMG, cleared UK licensing exam recently. I have always had the same feelings like you. I have a passion for learning Trading and be a full time trader. I want to travel and trade. But medicine makes all the obstacles for me. Unlike you I haven't been able to conquer my fear yet. Hopefully one day I can buy all the time and happiness for me and my family at an exchange of sacrificing my medicine career. Best wishes for your new journey.
Same boat man. I left medicine. Not applying for residency. Currently honing my skills in trading. I suggest you learn to trade options. We all want that freedom to live life. Goodluck
Desde que entre a la universidad me he dado cuenta de que uno de los grandes modelos a seguir para todos has sido tu, cientos de estudiantes de medicina en tu universidad, y seguramente miles de estudiantes en el mundo han visto tu trayecto y pensado que quieren hacer eso con sus vidas. Ha sido algo muy lindo ver como desde el video de la rotación en estados unidos empiezas a cuestionarte si realmente vale la pena gastar nuestra vida en una carrera que muchas veces no nos permite ser feliz. Pasaste de ser un modelo a seguir dentro de la medicina a ser un modelo a seguir respecto a la vida en general. Y espero que todos los que seguiremos con el camino que nos ayudaste a empezar logren ser tan felices como lo eres y serás. Mucha suerte!
Cada persona sigue su mismo camino. Cuando uno avanza en la carrera de medicina uno comienza a ver la gran cantidas de sacrificio personal que debe y deberá hacer en la vida para alcanzarlo. También ves en primera persona cómo es el sistema de salud, el trato de los colegas, de los pacientes, las jornadas laborales. Todo eso te vislumbra si uno desea continuar con la carrera o no. Un profesor de medicina nos dijo una vez: "El médio nunca termina de estudiar, es un eterno estudiante".
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 love it!!!! While I was studying for the steps I felt guilty for even trying to read a book that had nothing to do with medicine. Let along spending time with my family. My mom passed away while I was preparing for the first step and it kills me to think of all the time that I didn’t spend with her because I had to study. I decided to quit medicine in the US and go back to my country to be with my family and enjoy them while I can. The moment I decided to quit medicine I felt like a could breath again. It felt amazing
I am a long time viewer and you channel is my favorite on RUclips. I am really happy for you, and I hope you are proud of yourself! Thanks for all that you do with this channel.
a small advice that I think goes a long way is" to go where you're needed the most", measure your self, know what you can offer and what you cant, and regardless if it was medicine or something else, where you're mostly needed, is where fulfillment resides.
I've thought that if I didn't have to worry about $, and after raising my kids, that I would love to serve on medical service trips part-time. I'm hoping to spend a year and become immersed and fluent in Spanish. Having a way to make passive income could allow for this. Also raising awareness through your video content, could lead others to serve the under-served either in person or financially. If you haven't read Mountains Beyond Mountains yet, about Dr. Paul Farmer who went to Duke and Harvard and who served in Haiti and around the world, I highly recommend it! It's one of my favorite, medical and humanitarian inspiring books that I've read. I've also contemplated remote part-time medical jobs (like mental health nurse practitioner) that would allow me to travel, earn an income, and serve the underserved. Santiago, since you've been passionate about infectious disease, I think you'd LOVE this book!
Perdon si comentó en español, me alegra saber que tomaste decisiones que te hacen sentir feliz contigo mismo , a mi como espectador sin duda me deja un vacío grande, es como si alguien que hubiera entrenado fútbol gran parte de su vida se enterara que Messi se retiró, que el futbol quizas no lo llenaba tanto. Siento que como estudiante se me mueve el piso, y está bien porque ahora veo que existe vida fuera de la residencia. Pero no deja de ser raro, como que me inspiraba en los momentos pesados de la carrera viendo tus entrevistas a médicos en otros paises, y ahora que te retiras de la medicina siento que mi propio camino en la medicina se tambalea, sé que debo vivir mi propia experiencia y en eso tomar mis propias decisiones, pero sin duda que alguien como tú deje este camino me deja con sabor amargo en la boca. Gracias por leerme, un abrazo.
Así mismo, no pudo describirlo mejor, en estos momentos tengo una sensación agridulce, me siento alegre por él pero a la vez siento tristeza, de cómo tu "ídolo" deja todo lo que por una vez luchó y que fue fuente de inspiración para emprender el mismo camino, sinceramente es duro.
This is a nice video to watch; I have been considering med-school for psychiatry and it is making me evaluate my values. There is a lot that goes into it and the sacrifice involved is intimidating to me. I too have been considering content creation, but my reason being is to start up extracurricular work as well as keep myself fresh in the material I learned as well as to even network. Anyway thanks for sharing!
Thank you for being brave enough to listen to yourself and to intervene and to make this video to express what many cannot. Subscribing to continue to root for you! Good luck!
This is so shocking to me!! I've followed your path for the last three years, and you have no idea how much you inspired me with your Experiencias IMG videos, and all the super top videos giving us many tips to get prepared for the USMLE journey. I used to think I couldn't wait the day to see you as an IM PYG-1. But life can really change in a blink of an eye and it's important to always hold on to what really makes us happy.. and family, friends and me time will always be essential! Estoy muy feliz de que estés feliz! Y GRACIAS TOTALES por todo lo que nos has enseñado! ❤️
Voy a comentar en español. Te deseo muchos éxitos en esta nueva etapa Santiago 🤍 sin duda alguna sí hiciste y estás haciendo la diferencia con tu existencia, con el contenido que creas. Muchas gracias por haberme ayudado tanto (y seguir haciéndolo) con temas tan complejos, por haberme sembrado un poquito de amor por la medicina interna aunque aún me falte mucho camino por recorrer. Fuiste muy valiente al tomar esa decisión. Tu felicidad, tu tiempo y lo que consideres más importante para tí es completamente válido. Lloré cuando contaste que al querer jugar con tu abuelo el ya no podía por sus manitos, me sentí muy identificada con mi abuelito que ya no está en este mundo y hubiese querido aprovechar más el tiempo con él en lugar de haber estado estudiando y estudiando. Como bien dijiste, lo más valioso que tenemos es nuestro tiempo... Me hiciste cuestionar mucho, gracias por abrirte con nosotros, por ser tan transparente. Que todo lo bueno te acompañe y aquí estaremos muchos apoyándote siempre 💌
Medicine is a tight rope. Everything you do from the MCAT to boards is high stakes, and it often feels like the outcomes aren’t entirely up to us. I left medical school in 2020, class of ‘22. I’m a wildland firefighter now. I’m thinking about returning and finishing my degree. This morning I’m considering what the best use of time is. I’m really happy with fire & wilderness medicine. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I just wanted to let you know that I really admire your outlook and wisdom in deciding to quit medicine. It takes a lot of courage and self-awareness to make a decision like this, and I have full confidence that you will be able to find a path that brings you happiness and fulfillment. Remember that your happiness and well-being should always be your top priority, and I know that you will be able to create a life that aligns with your values and passions. Keep being brave and true to yourself, and do what you feel fulfills you. We only have one life.
Hi, I’m a medical student and you helped me so much with ranking different resources to study for Step 1! The content you create is invaluable and will indirectly affect the care of so many patients because you help med students pass boards. Thank you so much and I’m happy you can continue to make the best content to help us succeed 😊
You are a brave guy, you have the right to choose what is best for YOU, thank you for inspiring us, God bless you Santiago, wish you all the best !!!!!😇🙏🏻🇨🇴
Este video me cayó como anillo al dedo. Soy de ingeniería y me di cuenta que no quiero ser ingeniero, hubiera amado ser dr, pero tengo un miedo terrible a que se me pase la vida solo estudiando, considerando que empezaría la carrera a mis 25 y me he sentido todo el año justamente como vos, con una muro en frente infranqueable y estoy tratando de descubrir como superarlo por que me sentía super estancado. Este video resonó muchísmo! En especial lo de pensar que uno perdió los últimos 8 años estudiando algo para luego no ejercerlo... Gracias por compartir el video, hace que uno se sienta menos solo.
Happy for you. Im applying into a lifestyle specialty and am very excited. I admire and respect your decision, and hope you find the time and peace you seek. Thank you for all your content - it has helped a lot of people
I swear this must be a sign from a higher power bc I've been struggling with the decision to either keep on my current path or take a new path while I still have a chance. I studied health sciences in college in order to pursue a career in the medical field and thanks to scholarships, budgeting, and commuting to a local university, I was able to get a bachelor's degree in health sciences with no loan debt. I picked a career path sort of on a whim bc I felt directionless and I think I became more focused on getting accepted into the grad program I would need that I lost sight of my long-term goals and desires. I was more enamored with proving a point to myself and those around me that I was good enough to be accepted into a program rather than the career itself. I began having doubts even before I took the necessary entrance exam and subsequent application but I pushed through and told myself I was doing the right thing. Now I'm staring down the barrel of tens of thousands of student loans in order to attend a program that truthfully, I don't really feel any excitement or enthusiasm for. The more I've reflected on it, the more I've realized I did what I did to prove a point. My ego was bruised and I wanted to show that I could do it, and technically I have. I was able to get through undergrad debt free and seeing the way my parents struggled with debt makes me reluctant trap myself with the same burden. I did more research on my potential career and was disappointed to find that the return on investment (monetarily speaking) was nowhere near what I thought it'd be. I'd have to work extra hard to pay back the money and that would interfere with the things I'd still like to do in life. I wholeheartedly agree with your point about freedom and autonomy. I want the work the life balance but perhaps more importantly, I want the ability to walk away and do something new if I so choose. That likely wouldn't be attainable bc even if I left the job, I'd still owe money. I'm in my mid 20s with no major responsibilities or anyone relying on me so I if I'm gonna make a change, I should do it now. I figure if I was 100% sold on what I was doing, I wouldn't be having such strong 2nd thoughts. I was so hyper focused on getting in, I don't think I did my due diligence and really explored my options in healthcare. I've been pleasantly surprised recently by the amount of options there are and how close they are to me. I think I'm gonna take time to investigate these options and find something I like. I deeply desire that work life balance and don't wanna work myself to death for something I'm just not as enthusiastic about as I thought I'd be and then be trapped. Anyway, thanks for this video. It's comforting to know that I can change my path and pursue happiness elsewhere
The first time I came across your videos was when I started studying for USMLE step 1, your tips and tricks helped me establish my baseline and work on myself. Whenever, I felt like I will not be able to achieve it I went through your videos and you motivated me to push ahead. I kinda wanted to be just like you. Thank you for all the motivation and good luck on all your future endeavours!
GARY'S wife Sherrie here. You are so right about your life, I was a Nurse for 40 years and I retired and decided that I was finished. I decided that Nursing and healthcare are all consuming. Work life balance is so important!
You have got balls brother. Loved your confidence, your clear thinking and outlook towards your life. Somehow, everybody here knows you will ace in any field you'll put your step in. All my good wishes to you. ✌️
I was in my third year of medical school, when i realised that working as a full time doctor for the rest of my life simply wasn't what i wanted to do even tho my grades were good enough. My thought was maybe working part time but the more i thought about if, the more i realised that unless you go in with the right mindset you'd simply do a disservice. This is why i changed to biochemistry.
I knew something was up, when ur videos were at home not in USA . I LOVE U BUDDY…UR GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND WILL ALWAYS BE UR FANS IM OBGYN , IN RAT RATE NOW, BUT WILL START MY OWN BUSINESS SOON’love u and love u more buddy’
I am in my 6th attempt to get through my first year of medical school. I never failed. Every year, something new happened with medical problems, family events and life events. I used to want to be a surgeon and as time went on and I learned more about life and my needs - I realized the universe has been trying to tell me something. My body has been trying to tell me something. It's the fear of course that has kept me where I am and I just finally have to decide for a better life for myself. There is so much more to my story but I just wanted to say - looking forward to the future and living my life for me with a sense of hope is important. And If I can constantly perform well with everything dragging me down in medicine, I can also become whatever it is I want to do outside of medicine. Anyways, jumbled up thoughts but I wanted to share all that with others.
I am happy to have finished my residency before the onset of the internet, social media and all the distractions. Trained in "no sleep" NYC hospitals and once becoming organized and efficient residency became very cool. You really had to surrender to it and become one with it. Resistance is futile LOL. Looking back those were great years, intense immersion in the fire and learning skills that last a lifetime. Great camaraderie, with exceptions duly noted.
Can we as a society stop shaming people for choosing medicine and then changing their minds. Obviously none of us in the comments are doing that but it is a very common thing I see within our field. Personally, nothing else would make me as happy as being a surgeon so I don’t see myself ever changing but we need people in EVERY field and if everyone who wanted to be a doctor at one point actually became one, then we’d be doomed.
For what it's worth,your videos single handedly challenged me to improve my learning how to learn together with your skillshare course and a thankyou would be an understatement. All I could wish you is all the best in your future endeavors and God bless you.
Here is an option: medicine in europe, especially Scandinavian countries like Norway. Doctors have way more time as they arent pushed to work ober 40 or 50 hours, let alone 70, holidays are paid, days off are paid to some extent, maternal leave and all sorts of stuff that contribute to a better quality of life. If ur still into medicine, check these options Best of luck
You made the best choice! No one knows better your struggles and strengths than yourself. You are more than right, Santiago, we are the writers of our story. You are already changing so many lives from being your best self. People have different callings, and I think you just found yours. When you ever think about regretting, just remember what Santiago from now would tell you. 🥰
Hi Santiago, sounds like you have a lot of security, with looking at everything and also securing your way back to medicine if you want to. so it looks like you've covered all your basis as far as your security is concerned. I am from a different back ground and I grew up in the states, went to school here, and I have a lot of loans to pay off. When we invested a lot of things such as time, energy, money, it becomes so difficult to do a change. And I honestly just feel so tired and my body is so defeated and battered. I was in residency for 3 years and got physical and mental health illness due to stress, and it is just so much to keep on going when you know on the inside, you simply got no energy left.
Dear Santiago, I wish you all the best on your new path. Life is long, we can change our minds and succeed in different journeys. If in the end your change your mind, there is always a way to go back and be fine. Looking forward to seeing where your decisions take you.
Imagine in 10 years when he's working long shifts in Spain getting a paycheck and spending it to support his family, then realizing he's making less money than a nurse makes in the US.
I’ve been following you for the last year and always admired you since the first video I saw, today’s no exception. I’ll still watch your amazing videos and thank you for encouraging me to pursuit challenges I didn’t even considered!
Congratulations for having the courage to do what makes you happy! Medicine is full of sacrifices and sometimes those sacrifices are just not worth losing some of the most important moments of life.
Desculpe por comentar em portugues. Acabei de me graduar em Medicina aqui no Brasil. E ao longo da faculdade me questionei sobre as mesmas coisas que você disse no seu video. O que mais me impactou foi ver o quanto minha família envelheceu nos anos que fiquei fora estudando. Portanto, decidi parar de sacrificar o tempo com minha família e com meus amigos, parar de sacrificar as coisas além da medicina que eu quero. Escolhi me especializar em psiquiatria, que vai me dar uma estabilidade financeira para ter a vida que eu quero viver, sem deixar o trabalho tomar conta da minha vida inteira.
I’m following your channel Santiago and find it very helpful. Shocked that you made the decision to leave medicine. I’m sure that it was very tough and also very awakened decision. Time is the most precious capital we can have, so it should be invested with care and careful consideration. Wish you the best in everything. I’m sure you will excel in anything you will decide to pursue.
Your honesty with self is something that makes you stand out and that’s the same quality that is going to make you successful in whatever you undertake ! It isn’t easy to take a decision as such considering the energy and time and money invested but the fact that you have shows that you have thought everything through More more power to you Santiago ! I hope all your dreams and more come true ❤
Santiago thank you for sharing this journey with us. I used all of your videos to pass my steps and they truly helped keep me motivated through those really hard moments in life! I wish you all the luck, and always do what makes you happy and come alive because that is what life is all about!
I'm now almost starting my 5th year of medicine, have 2 years left to get my MD Degree and i'm also thinking about quitting med school. Maybe programming would be an option for me. I have 25 years old right now. All the sacrifice and life/death desitions that a doctor has to face makes me think if I really want to follow this path... Maybe i should finish med school and look for another path after that, i don't know. I completely agree with you that medicine gives you a certainty an only path that you have to follow to get a stable job. I tried to quit medicine but i started feeling all this fear and thinking about if the Web Development course that i was doing was the correct between a ton of other similar courses and it made me come back to med school... Maybe i should have more guts and understand that every path has its pros and cons as you said, and do what i think is better for my life... but its not too easy. I wish the best for your life, thanks for the video that made me realize that i'm not the only one that have this thoughts.
The ultimate goal is to be happy regardless the situation. I am happy that you found your vocation. The medical field is beautiful and revealing, but you sacrifice a lot to get there. I am trying to get to dermatology btw 😅 so hopefully I can feel that it is my place. I had to go through other specialties working as a medical assistant after I graduated from med school in venezuela. BUT I DID FEEL FOR A MOMENT THAT MEDICINE WAS NOT THE ONLY THING I WANTED IN MY LIFE. I pursued them and now I am in peace of what my life is. I ended up working as a mohs dermatologist medical assistant and I am happy to see it every day. And I think that is what matters.... The journey not the goal. Because you will always want more.
Hello from Brazil. I’m a doctor currently studying to apply for orthopedics but I am honestly not sure what to expect from the future: I’ve never seen my worklife as sth that could bring me joy, but just a way of make a living. And maybe that was a mistake. So I’m still trying to figure out the next steps of my life… that really hard for me.
Proud of your courage to stand for what u believe in 💛 It may not be an easy path but I know that if ur passionate enough to pursue your craft, you will be able to live the life you dearly love.
Students are expected to commit to medicine at such a young age and after making that premature/uninformed decision you are basically crippled into staying via debt/obligations/fear/etc. I commend you for your bravery. Best of luck Santiago!
Santiago, you are a ridiculously talented medical professional and let me tell you, you can and will be able to balance residency and ID fellowship with your other passions. Even your content will get a huge refresh when and if you enter residency!
Yo he pensado todo lo que mencionas en este video, y estoy en 10mo semestre de medicina. Me quedan dos años y medio con el internado y me he dado cuenta cada vez más que no quiero ejercer una carrera ni en una especialidad que demande todo mi tiempo y salud. Me gusta es aprender, por esto me gusta ademas medicina interna, pero no para ejercerlo, solo para saciar la curiosidad.
¡Hola! ¡Espero estés bien! Quiero agradecerte por toda la ayuda que nos has dado a lo largo de nuestra preparación para estos exámenes, también por las técnicas de estudio y por los otros videos. También muchas gracias por todo el tiempo invertido en enseñar a otras personas a estudiar mejor, y por compartir tus experiencias. Indiferentemente si decides otro rumbo para tu vida siempre van a haber personas que te admiren por lo que haces, por quien eres. Eres una excelente persona, y para ser sincero creo que con tus capacidades y habilidades puedes llegar muy en lo que sea que quieras hacer. ¡Gracias por todo! ¡Saludos amigo!
Dear Santiago; hope everything goes well! I find very interesting your experience in the path you’ve done until this time, many of us were there, but no one told us the things you’ve mention. In my specific case, after finish General Surgery Residency, I took Cardiovascular Surgery as sub specialty; but after finish the time of Residency and prepare myself for the defense of the end-specialty-paper, in a world congress of Laser, I see how a coronary artery get opened with this optical fiber, no stent evolving this procedure, so after talk with the Profesor who perform this, they told me that Laser Surgery and Medicine it’s a new specialty, but requires training in Plastic Surgery to perform others procedures, rather than general surgery or vascular surgery. So I Thinkvery well and follow this new path. After almost 18 years of specialty I feel so happy of the choice I made at that time; so it’s up to you or any colleague to feel yours instincts and find a specialty when every singe day of work it’s full of joy and emotions! Also give me time to do Researching in Biophotonic field. My wife and kids love what I do every day, specially the Congress trips! None this will happened if I remain in my old plan, so thanks for sharing your experience, hope can inspire other colleagues to not leave the medicine field, just find the specialty that you like and enjoy the everyday work. Currently I practice Phlebology and Vascular Laser Medicne and Surgery, as well as Plastic Laser Medicine and Surgery. All the best for you!!!
I know you can still make a difference Santiago! Totally understand your decision. The pay as a doctor in the US is good, but unless you’re a surgeon, or in one of the highly competitive residencies, you most likely will get burned out. Healthcare here is the US is so broken, that it doesn’t make sense to sacrifice the life that we want. There’s so much politics within and outside the system and you don’t have control over it. I’ve seen many colleagues becoming desensitized towards patients and other colleagues; and that’s a really sad place to be. You feel stuck and miserable. I remember seeing a doctor lash out at those difficult patients, because even though you go through the years of education and training, you will still get mistreated by people. However; You feel like you have to do this. Worse of all is being on call and handling individuals who cuss you out and literally will harass you for medications. The winners here in the US are the pharmaceuticals and insurance companies, trying to lower their compensations on various procedures so that they can keep the most bank 💰
I went to a foreign medical school but unable to finish it. I was depressed and stressed out and completely changed my life. However, the passion for medicine and knowledge never gone in me. After taking a few years to readjust my life and resolved all the craziness that happened. Now, I am working my way back to get into U.S. Med school. I had worked at many different jobs outside of medical field, but consistently feeling medicine is the right career for me. A friend of mine who went to medical school with keep telling me that medicine is not rewarding any more and he discourages me to do it every-time we talk. I am thinking maybe his passion and goal for it is different from mine. I am looking forward to get into a medical school next year. Thanks for your thoughts and videos, Santiago. I found yours when I lost my medical tract a few yrs ago and have been following your channel.
This realization probably happens frequently, sadly the thought of loans, the social and intrinsic pressures, and fear of the unknown hinder students from making the best decision for themselves.
Hey Santiago I really appreciate your courage and I believe you’ve made the right decision. It’s really hard to do medicine and focus on other areas of life at the same time…we sacrifice so much pursuing medicine without noticing what we have lost 😢 just wanna say I love your videos and they helped me a lot! You’re a talented person and I believe you will do an excellent job no matter in what field 🎉
Hi, I've been watching your videos during the time I was preparing for my step exams, but I had taken an eerily similar detour like you. I would definitely advise you to reconsider as, you've already cleared the hard part with the exams and the CV. The thing is, the entrepreneurship path does not suddenly close when you go to the US. It remains open, and very much so, I would argue that you have ten fold the opportunity in view of the the connections and network that comes with staying in America for the same things you want to pursue. Think again. Take something somewhat in line with your interest's and pursue your hustle on the side.
Yep, you can pretty much kiss your 20s goodbye. But I still managed to get married and have a kid. Once you hit your 30s, though, and start building your practice, it's worth it. I love what I do (ophthalmologist).
To everyone pursuing a challenge, such as the medical journey, REMEMBER THE "WHY!" We should take some time every so often to disconnect from distractions and reflect on the reason(s) for doing something. Do not fear events and character growth that may alter interests and propel you into new, unfamiliar terrain. Instead, embrace the fact that you have one life to live and that the worst decision is too often indecision. This video gave me great insight to reflect on my "WHY" for medical school and beyond. I hope everyone does the same :)
Thanks Santiago for sharing. I am a doctor too and I am literally exhausted from burn out. I started my RUclips channel and basically trying to get a path for myself in the online space. This is inspiring. This coming year is really a make or break point for me because I dread having to go back to those hospital shifts and call if this fails. Thanks 🙏 again for sharing your journey.
Doctor Santiago personalmente me has inspirado a querer salir de mi pais y crecer en otro lugar,no eres famoso como Messi o algun influencer pero para los estudiantes de Medicina eres un ejemplo y la vida se trata de eso encontrar tu pasion,la razon porque no dejo medicina es porque quiero ayudar a otros ese es mi mayor anhelo lastimosamente quiero una mejor calidad de vida y eso en mi pais no lo encuentro,tal ves algun dia encuentre otra pasion como usted pero me alegra que viva lo que usted quiere hacer.
I'm in grad school for teaching and currently in my residency, for sure it's not the same as med school but I can relate to work-life balance being uneven. I haven't even touched my cello for about a year. There's so much to teaching and you often end up taking your work home. Teachers wear so many hats and there's so much we juggle that I did not foresee before getting into the program. It can get very stressful and it's affected my health. I am close to graduating but I just don't even know I'm sure what I'll want to do after graduating.
The reason I decided to become a nurse was because I discovered the power of creative problem solving. Your story reminds me to stay true to being myself as both an artist and aspiring healthcare professional. Thank you for being yourself with the world. 🌟✨☀️
Damn, this is exactly how I feel. 5th year med student, I come from a family of doctors with many relatives also working in medical field. I never realized how difficult it all is until I started uni myself. I can now see why mom got fed up and quit her job and how my dad is always tired and has to go to work earlier and come home later just to finish all the paperwork. Idk, after knowing that this is what awaits me in the future, I don't want to be a doctor anymore in this reality. I love the medicine itself, but not the fact that everyone expects doctors to not have a personal life and just work-sleep. And older doctors also enforce this mentality to the younger ones. Our teachers have told us on numerous occasions that medicine is a sacred field and you need to sacrifice everything to practice it. Dudes, no. It's just a job, like any other. I want to finish my job at 4pm, go home and forget about it till the next morning at 8 am. Idk, I am currently getting a second degree in English, so maybe I will do something that's not medicine in the end
@K Patients think doctors don't need to eat, sleep, go for a walk and so on. Haven't you seen that whole thing about a doctor who posted a photo of herself in a bikini and everyone went nuts? Yep, that's the public opinion Once, a patient called me at 3 at night and asked me to look at her baby's poop. At 3 o'clock! Like, wtf woman, I am sleeping. And there is also no lunch break for doctors, at least in my country. Well, good for the pilots then. Everyone should have a normal life-work balance and work conditions. You are looking at this issue from an outside, you don't really get what's happening in the field. Anyway, I am not interested in continuing this conversation. So, goodbye and have a good life
after 22 years practice in pharmacy as a clinical pharmacist at VA , i did quit my job all of sudden at age of 53 . I simply could not tolerate the micro management anymore .I could NOT take so many BS anymore . BUT , I established my pension and my ..social security and a good 401 K ..... so my advice to people watching this , make sure that you get some social security and pension plan, Medicare plan and 401 k so when you get to age of 62 you are not homeless ..... DO NOT QUIT EARLY BEFORE YOU ESTABLISHE THE ABOVE .ITS A BIG BIG BIG MISTAKE TO QUIT EARLY LIKE HIM ......HE MADE A HUGE MISTAKE ......DO not do the same mistake he did
watching ur videos sounds like hearing how bad is owning bugatti chiron, man don't waste the chance, just keep going and after u r done with residency do whatever u want, but not now, thats ur golden chance u got one of the highest usmle scores, everything indicates that u'll be a brilliant doctor, don't get overwhelmed by social media.
i’m a third year rn and I have 3 more rotations left and 4th year electives and i’ve been feeling this way since semester 1 first year but i’ve been excelling and pushing through bc well im i’m passing I might as well continue bc it’s secure but since working in the rotations- I have bonded with my patients so much but as per the dr lifestyle and what’s to come I feel so suffocated and my vibrant personality is like what are we doing here it’s so stuffy😂. your video means everything to me bc I am learning to lean into taking calculated risks ie leaving medicine and this video was the sign I needed to continue to listen to that inner voice
Medical school and residency are emotional and physical drags. But overtime as an attending there is more flexible, simply because of your seniority and increased flexibility with controlling your schedule, but also because your salary allows for greater social flexibility. Don’t give up on medicine. It gets better.
It depends on your specialty. And if you have such a flexible schedule you're probably a family physician or internal medical specialist and would not be making that much.
Ví tu video y me recordó mucho a un youtuber que admiro mucho también, llamado Ali Abdal, el dejó la medicina después de empezar su canal de youtube, está teniendo mucho éxito y se le ve muy feliz, espero que te vaya de lo mejor a tí también, que vivas una vida en la que cada mañana te sientas orgulloso de tus logros, sabiendo que sea el camino que elegiste, lo hayas hecho siguiendo a tu corazón 🥰
Hermano que historia tan interesante. Yo estoy en Colombia y siempre me gustaba ver tus vídeos en Medilearner. Pero que interesante ver qué no todo médico tiene que tener misma ruta del specialty. Yo igual me gradué hace dos años y he estado pensando mucho que voy a hacer con mi vida como médico. Me estuve preparando para el PLAB del UK. Nunca me encontré en una especialidad específica. Como muy bien lo dices hay un campo abierto de oportunidades y un sin fin de combinaciones para armar tu camino. Y nunca nada es "wasted". Como decía Steve Jobs solo hay que aprender a unir los puntos. Éxitos.
Go for it! I'm not interested in residency anymore either. I'm more interested in financial freedom, living life and being with loved ones. Hone your skills. Like Dr. Joe Dispenza said, "your heart and mind needs to have coherence".
This video is not meant to tell anybody how to live their lives. If you have a dream, chase it. Don't let me or anybody else dissuade you from it. Best of luck to everybody
Hi Santiago, it will never feel normal to leave medicine after dedicating years towards it but I am happy you figured out this isnt your passion anymore. You may still be passionate about it, but basically you found something that you are more passionate about...creating content and I couldn't be happier for you. You will always have your medical degree, you will always be a doctor and it will always be your backup plan which you have already put into place. Now is the time to go hard on your content creation. Trying to "play safe" is not the way out. You need to live life on your own terms and be happy and healthy. Just remember freedom is the most important thing.....time freedom, location free and financial freedom!
This is really shocking to me.Personally I had 3 people I used to follow.All of them were really admirable medicine students , brilliant.But then you start to realize they decided to choose different pathways you thought they will follow.It's not bad.It just made me think that everyone just want to have a happy and enjoyable life.Personally, I will do my residency and end up working partial-time.As you said Santiago.There are many things we need to value.Thank you.
I look up to you. You are an idle for me. I would say they are just three years for internal medicine residency so maybe do them. Then maybe rely on passive income solely and part time from time to time whilst making what you are passionate about.
Looking up what you will do next.
Also security isn't for you, it is for your current and future family. We do what we can for that security, i know i can just die after this comment but that doesn't mean i should take bold risks because of that.
Good luck with all the love🤞.
Text me Santi, te mando un abrazo
@@mayugabrielmiranoortizdeor3888 Same here. Ali Abdaal also quit to become a full time content creator. I'm starting to question the reliability of their advice: it shows that being too hardworking can backfire, imo. After looking up to them, I've realized that maybe my mild "lazyness" is what is protecting me from burnout in the medical profession. I've decided I just want to follow healthier real life models instead of virtual ones.
Santiago: You are absolutely right as we should always build our path the way we want. But as a 44yo IMG, I would like to give you an advice: as an ECFMG-certified IMG, do not lose this chance to be US-trained. Medicine will always provide you a decent income. Internet may be tempting, nowadays, but the is no guarantee lifelong. Think about it. Best of luck for you.
Hello mr. Lopes. Could you please tell us your path to residency. I’m old IMG, studying for step 2 and 3. Hoping to get into IM residency. What do you think if I have a chance?Thanks ahead.
Same here, need guidance. Thank you in advance
Thank you so much for this 😭
@@iabezhanidze4592 Hi, Ia. I do really believe you will get your spot. I would be afraid of failing if we all IMGs pursue a very competitive specialty. I am a pathologist and Pathology, as well as IM, is not so competitive. In fact, I am still studying for the steps... I was meaning that Santiago should not give up having a US residency training because he passed the steps... Doing residency in the US is a one-of-a-king opportunity that should not be lost. By the way, what would you suggest to me as good resources for steps 1 and 2 CK?
@@lisandrolopes3747 Thank You for your response, dr. Lopes. I m currently preparing for step 2ck. Watched a lot of videos and contents and decided to choose uworld 2ck QBank as primary resource for study and practice ( it’s over 4000q ), was doing Amboss subject wise , uworld step 3 QBank (it provides similar concepts, extra practice questions) and NBMEs. Its already feels overwhelming and a lot, but if you need more resources, you can decide by yourself. Got some books( step up to medicine), but most do not recommend to go into books, since uworld is excellent study resource. Best luck .
This video really resonated with me. During my final year of med school (I studied in Europe so it’s a bit different than in the USA) I was already 6 years deep into medicine. I decided to study medicine because I genuinely love it and my grades reflected that. I was on top of my class. However, being a pathological perfectionist took a big toll on me and once I was done with all lectures and clinical rotations I was completely burnt out. I had no will power to prepare exams and to study from huge books. It kinda lost the meaning and I didn’t have the passion I used to have. Also, still being financially dependent on my parent put a burden on my mind (even though they were more than happy to help me through school). That was when I picked up drawing again, after more than 15 years. It was a great vent and I was able to express other side of myself that I neglected for years. Little by little, I started gaining more social media attention and people wanted to buy my art. I quickly gained financial independence and I was fulfilled, because I had a purpose again. I decided to slowly get back to preparing exams and I did eventually finished med school with very high average grade. Once I finished the school, the whole new world opened to me. Suddenly, I didn’t have this burden that was pressing onto me for few years. Even though doing art liberated me on one hand, on the other I had this huge pressure and that was my unfinished med school. And I think that’s always the case with us who love medicine. We can try to quit it, but one way or another we will get back to it. Because love for medicine is strong and being a doctor is not just a regular job, for many it’s a calling and a life-long dedication. At this moment in my life I can’t Imagine not working as a doctor. But I also can’t imagine my life without doing art as well. Right now, I’m learning German in order to start working in Germany. It is a long process that requires additional time, but after all these years I can sacrifice another one to learn the language and finally start my medical career. I will definitely choose a specialty that will let me have a better work-life balance, because I’ve learnt that balance is the key to a happy life. And I wish you, and all of you who’ve read this, a happy and a well balanced life.
Thank you and same to you. I’m deciding to go to Med school after doing my bachelors and taking some time out of university to explore travelling and work in other fields for new experiences. You’re absolutely right it’s very much a calling, I don’t feel comfortable because it’s a part of who I am - it’s what makes me feel fulfilled. I love to enjoy life but I also feel my life feels complete when it’s in service for others and restoring quality of life
lets goo, I'm also about to start learning German, Perfect lifestyle and working hours, no county give you that so I'm doing my best to get that C1 ASAP!!
How many hours in residency day,can you increase too?
Hello, did u study in italy? Medical school is 6 years there.
I know this feeling. True we end up coming back to medicine at some point in life if we leave it. I did left the practice for 10 years because of having a child with special needs among other things. I came back for some time and started the residency in Germany in Neurology just to realize I was not feeling it anymore. I had to step back again and really dig deep inside my mind to realize that in reality I got into medicine mostly because of the science of it. I had a great time doing lab research in Spain. So, now I'm studying to choose a better specialty, Pathology, because I think it offers me all I need at this moment of my life: work-life balance to still be responsible with my child while getting back to my beloved field lab and research and still helping people(even if indirectly). But yes, MEDICINE is really VOCATIONAL
I can empathize with this… I also went through med school thinking I was heading in a different direction, then the entrepreneur bug took over when I was in my 3rd year and at that point, the desire to practice was gone and the desire to build a business was all I could ever consider. Appreciate you sharing this… I think there are a LOT of med students (many that we work with tell us) that aren’t passionate about medicine but feel like they’ve worked so hard to make it and now just need to do it due to expectations. It’s good to see others who are willing to follow their passion rather than just doing what is expected of them. Again, thanks for sharing! (From Dr. Paul)
It isn't medical school, but I am at the point where I am doubting going to PA school. I can't seem to figure out if it is just burn out from trying to get there or the fear of such a big change making me see everything negative.
I am an engineer who has been trying to get out of the factory and make a career change to something the is challenging and meaningful to me. I started prerequisites 6 years ago and finally just finished biochemistry and have all of them completed. I applied to a couple of programs. I got rejected from one after interview and put on a waitlist for another and am completely confused about my feelings regarding making the change.
During the time that I have taken my prerequisites I have worked full time as an engineer and for a while worked a few shifts a month as a PCT while taking classes. I lost my mother to cancer, lost a very good friend to a car accident, had a couple of kids (one of which was early and had a NICU stay), and a bunch of stress maintaining relationships, my house and my vehicles along the way.
I used to be excited about the change and thought it seemed like a good fit for me. I don't know if I am just burned out or forgot why I started this journey in the first place but I am really torn on whether or not I continue. There would be more financial and time related stress if I continued. But I also don't have another path that I am excited to pivot to. I am unsure about moving forward but dread the idea of staying where I am.
All I can say is Just don't throw away your only shoes unless you have another one 😊
Hi. I am a second year neurology resident in South Korea. In my opinion, no one is truly happy as a trainee of medicine, especially in fields that have a lot of emergencies, night shifts, and where patients can end up dying or live with severe disabilities. The characteristic of the job requires a LOT of sacrifice, and I fully support your decision to pursuit your career based on your values. But to unhappy trainees who cannot quit/are not quitting for any reason like me, I like to think of my job as like a great coffee, where it tastes incredibly bitter with miserable workload but is amazingly fragrant, and like any good coffee the bitterness will not last, only the complex but pleasant aftertaste. Of course it is extremely bitter now, look for those scents of good memories with patients/coworkers/yourself, I am sure you will be surprised.
very well stated!
As a second year emergency resident from Egypt and one of those unhappy trainees who cannot quit, thank you so much for your comment :') I was having one of those difficult weeks thinking about quitting even though I don't have another plan :( I don't drink coffee so can't relate to the analogy :') but I will try to think about what you said
Well stated...find gratitude wherever you can.
@@nooraelkenawi7823 hearing that makes me very happy! Emergency residents are the jewels for the world. Although not ideal, I imagine residents there are the backbone of the hostpitals as well. Best of luck for you and bear in mind that what you are doing is very important
I'm sorry, but I disagree. I'm five years in, and no, the bitterness does not disappear as long as you don't switch or climb the career ladder high enough that the night shifts disappear. Otherwise, the "sweet" moments with the patients are far and in-between the daily shit that you have to go through, especially now in COVID times. Is it interesting? Yes. But it's not helpful to anyone to pretend that the trade-off is anywhere close to reasonable.
This sadly applies to most careers, NOT just medicine. I studied hard for my career, got my PhD and travelled the world for my career. Sadly by the time I decided to become a mum my fertility had decreased and couldn't conceive for several years. They say girls should study and stand on their own feet but it comes with a price. Now I have two kids and work part time as I want to spend time with my kids and be there for them. Sadly when you have kids your career goes out the window and one says why study so many years if I was just going to be a stay at home mum? Society doesn't support professional mums. You have to sacrifice your free time or sleep time to finish a paper or finish a work task. No pain no gain.
Society chases the dollar, generations ago society cherished community but it's not like that anymore. Corporate ways changed everything and it has come with a heavy price.
"They say girls should study and stand on their own feet, but it comes with a price."
"Society doesn't support professional mums."
These are contradictory. You got what you want, although the decisions you took almost took you out.
A humble advice:
Please do your residency and after that take up duty hrs of your desired time. That way you can manage both your content and youtube. But please don't quit medicine altogether, don't let your years of hard work go to waste. We can't see you going that way!
Well said !
ikr. I think I have thought of this as a premed student. It baffles me how a grown up hasn't yet. I think I love medicine a lot, but definitely don't want to work more than 8h a day, so once it comes to discission making, I will take a residency path that will later let me work the hours that I am hoping. I don't mind for e.g. working for a months+then taking a month of, or working 12h/day for 3 days, then taking the rest of the week of. Or something that will allow me to explore life while still doing what I love.
This is a sunk cost fallacy. Your past actions are in the past. Every day you’re dropped into your life, and you should choose based on what you expect to get in the future not based on what you’ve done. Do what you think will lead to your best life not on how much work you’ve put into something. If that’s medicine that’s fantastic but don’t use your past time investment as the reason to continue if you don’t think it’s best for you anymore.
Lol. He did the right thing by burning all the bridges not having anything to fall back to. That way he either sink or swim
@@josephdahdouh2725 seems like a very naive way to think. How many people have the privilege of choosing their hours? It takes many more years of brutal training and work to reach such a point if ever.
Hey Santiago, so I finished a Neurology residency in the US this year, and I am going to be graduating from my current fellowship next year and start my first job. Your message resonated because yes, your life perspective changes over time. I got married during residency, had a daughter, and reconnected with my high school friends. I now find the relationships in my life the most rewarding, and I saw how much of an effect of the hours I put into training during medical school and residency had affected that. This really influenced the career path I'll be taking next year, which would be a flexible remote job, in order to free up the time to invest in my relationships and hobbies. You could definitely have a flexible medical career to engage in part of yourself that drew you to medicine in the first place, as well as pursue your other interests. You are a smart guy, I would say you only have one life to live, don't let others tell you how to live it.
What will you do as ajob
Currently applying to residency and I’m contemplating FM or IM then heme/onc. I have extensional crisis daily because what if it’s north work it. Settle or have regrets.
@@Dekthagr8 i mean you’ve made it so far. you can have a flexible life in family med or u can work part time. if you’re truly interested i would say go for it
Hi, can you describe a little what this remote job is like? is it medical-relayed? using knowledge you gained from med school or residency? I am interested in becoming a doctor, but I have a major fear of not having enough time to spend on other things I love like family, hobbies/leisure, etc. which has been holding me back mentally and also from taking the steps I would need to take to get into medicine. It seems like such an interesting field, but I really value work-life balance and I don't know how much of that I'll be able to have and be happy with.
I’m a struggling neurology resident currently and find myself miserable and depressed on a daily basis…💔
Great video! Talking from Brazil. I'm currently studying to become a psychiatrist, but it wasn't my first option for medical residency. In fact, I started this year in gynecology and obstetrics residency and ended up leaving after only two months. I did not find myself in the specialty and even doubted my choice of medicine. It was a rough time. But then I tried to give a second chance to medicine, kept working in clinics and remembered how I love med. I found out that I enjoy internal medicine, talking to patients and helping. I got motivated again and got back to the studies por the application. Every residency, every training period is difficult and it's not the dream job, but as we say in Brazil "there are two happinesses in the residency: when it starts and when it comes to an end." Whish you best, from Brazil!
This video is extremely encouraging. I went to pharmacy school in the states, obtained a pharmacy residency and dropped the residency after 6 months because I had lost my dream for clinical pharmacy in a hospital setting. I started pursuing music full time as a producer and singer, and I actually got a part time job working as a clinical pharmacist in an internal medicine clinic. Thank you for sharing your story! You have gained a sub.
This is the best video you've created!
I'm here struggling with my life because getting into a medical residency was my dream but now it doesn't feel that way anymore!
Don't quit bro. Your video helped me a lot.
Don't do it.
That's the emotional part of your brain speaking
Take guts to make this video!
I can totally relate as a Second year IM resident who feels burnt out. Last year I was gun ho about specializing in cardiology or critical care. Things changed in my life and now I’m trying to figure out what to do after residency so I can have a balanced life.
Thank you for the video
This was a very emotional video for me. I've been in medicine in the US for 20 yrs as a staff MD. I've gone through all these thoughts during those last 20 yrs. I've loved days... I've hated days. I've looked at alternatives... I've looked at maintaining. But most of all, I've looked at the rest of my life and what I want to do. I truly love PARTS of what I do... but I have grown bored with the largest part of what I do. Would I do it again? Today the answer would be No. Medicine took a huge amount of my time just to be able to actually work as a MD. But then again, I think of all the patients who smiled at me after I'd helped them. I think about alternatives for tomorrow... and I have no answer.
I am not a physician, just an NP who is burnt out. Feeling same. Love hate and dont know where to go next
Dadnatron, I could have written that exact same paragraph that you wrote, myself. I am an ER doctor and I have worked for 20 years. I have done a lot of good, and I have had a lot of awarding moments, but I have completely lost the enthusiasm. It has become a grind. I am also always looking for an exit plan, but I simply don’t know what to do. I also have no answer. I wish you the best of luck.
How many patients have died due to your error? Just an estimate is fine.
I'm also on the verge of quitting medicine after doing all the USMLE exams, but unlike you i dont have a backup plan. So kinda lost as to which way to head. But good on you for taking that courageous decision and pursuing what you love to do!
Hey
First of all congrats for clearing all those hard usmle steps! I can’t imagine what you must hv gone through!
May I please know the reason about u quitting the journey?
Good luck
Takes guts to be honest and it’s a good reminder of the hard sacrifices that medicine calls for. I think many of us don’t think about this. Thank you for posting this and good luck with everything as well.
I feel ya. I am leaving medicine for IT after getting acceptance. My journey to acceptance was very gruesome and realized the schools only care about money and don't take the health of their students into consideration. I cannot join a club that doesn't do as they teach.
You finished Med School and then changed to IT? Or changed before finishing it? I'm in my 4th year of Med School and also I’m seriusly thinking about changing to IT but don't know if its better changing now or after getting my MD Degree... considering that I've already invested 8 years in this path... what díd you do? And what should you do in my case?
@@cev9790 Mine is different. I made this decision after getting acceptance but did not start. I was a nontraditional who worked years after high-school b4 college.
@@cev9790 hey there! When I was a 3rd year medical student I quit medicine to study software engineering. Finished my degree in engineering and then went back to medicine because that's what I truly loved. My advice for you is that you pick up coding in your spare time, because you can absolutely learn it and become a great developer without going to college for it, if you're willing to put in the time, but still continue medicine. That way, by the end of it all, you'll be able to freely choose which field makes you the happiest. That's my advice from what I which I had done, because unlike most fields, coding is something you can learn along with still pursuing something else. It will be demanding but take advantage of the fact that you can do both and then be able to choose. Best of luck! :)
@@wiskassaquetas123 thanks!! I appreciatte too much your advice. Yes these days i've been thinking about doing that, learning to code while I finish my MD and decide at the end what to do...
@@cev9790 i work in IT for 10 years let me know if yo have any questions
I actually emailed you about this (if you remember) about your timeline for us residency. Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts and reflections. Rooting for you that you will succeed as a content creator! I am one of those med students who benefited so much from your videos- I have been and will continue to look forward to them. Your reflection makes me think of how I should prioritize and value my time for the things important to me than just merely following the norm of the narrow medical path. Life is too short! Thanks once again!
All the best ❤️. You changed my life. No doubt in my mind that you will make it big 😉
X2 Santi :( una tristeza, me imaginaba que algo pasaba cuando no mencionabas nada sobre el step 3. Bendiciones y guía de Dios. Que cumpla tus sueños
I'm having the same thoughts as a 3rd year medical student... But I'm choosing to do something like family medicine where it is not all-consuming. It really depends what you choose to specialize in it seems. Hats off to those doing internal medicine and surgery, you won't be doing much else. :)
I am an IMG, cleared UK licensing exam recently. I have always had the same feelings like you. I have a passion for learning Trading and be a full time trader. I want to travel and trade. But medicine makes all the obstacles for me. Unlike you I haven't been able to conquer my fear yet. Hopefully one day I can buy all the time and happiness for me and my family at an exchange of sacrificing my medicine career. Best wishes for your new journey.
Same boat man. I left medicine. Not applying for residency. Currently honing my skills in trading. I suggest you learn to trade options. We all want that freedom to live life. Goodluck
Where did you do your internship ?
Bro we need to talk. I’m in med school too and I have fallen in love with trading. Contact me. We need to connect.
@@bilalturkan8004 in Bangladesh
Desde que entre a la universidad me he dado cuenta de que uno de los grandes modelos a seguir para todos has sido tu, cientos de estudiantes de medicina en tu universidad, y seguramente miles de estudiantes en el mundo han visto tu trayecto y pensado que quieren hacer eso con sus vidas. Ha sido algo muy lindo ver como desde el video de la rotación en estados unidos empiezas a cuestionarte si realmente vale la pena gastar nuestra vida en una carrera que muchas veces no nos permite ser feliz. Pasaste de ser un modelo a seguir dentro de la medicina a ser un modelo a seguir respecto a la vida en general. Y espero que todos los que seguiremos con el camino que nos ayudaste a empezar logren ser tan felices como lo eres y serás. Mucha suerte!
Cada persona sigue su mismo camino. Cuando uno avanza en la carrera de medicina uno comienza a ver la gran cantidas de sacrificio personal que debe y deberá hacer en la vida para alcanzarlo. También ves en primera persona cómo es el sistema de salud, el trato de los colegas, de los pacientes, las jornadas laborales. Todo eso te vislumbra si uno desea continuar con la carrera o no. Un profesor de medicina nos dijo una vez: "El médio nunca termina de estudiar, es un eterno estudiante".
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 love it!!!! While I was studying for the steps I felt guilty for even trying to read a book that had nothing to do with medicine. Let along spending time with my family. My mom passed away while I was preparing for the first step and it kills me to think of all the time that I didn’t spend with her because I had to study. I decided to quit medicine in the US and go back to my country to be with my family and enjoy them while I can. The moment I decided to quit medicine I felt like a could breath again. It felt amazing
I am a long time viewer and you channel is my favorite on RUclips. I am really happy for you, and I hope you are proud of yourself! Thanks for all that you do with this channel.
Thanks a lot Garrett, I always appreciate your comments, best of luck!
a small advice that I think goes a long way is" to go where you're needed the most", measure your self, know what you can offer and what you cant, and regardless if it was medicine or something else, where you're mostly needed, is where fulfillment resides.
I've thought that if I didn't have to worry about $, and after raising my kids, that I would love to serve on medical service trips part-time. I'm hoping to spend a year and become immersed and fluent in Spanish. Having a way to make passive income could allow for this. Also raising awareness through your video content, could lead others to serve the under-served either in person or financially. If you haven't read Mountains Beyond Mountains yet, about Dr. Paul Farmer who went to Duke and Harvard and who served in Haiti and around the world, I highly recommend it! It's one of my favorite, medical and humanitarian inspiring books that I've read. I've also contemplated remote part-time medical jobs (like mental health nurse practitioner) that would allow me to travel, earn an income, and serve the underserved. Santiago, since you've been passionate about infectious disease, I think you'd LOVE this book!
Perdon si comentó en español, me alegra saber que tomaste decisiones que te hacen sentir feliz contigo mismo , a mi como espectador sin duda me deja un vacío grande, es como si alguien que hubiera entrenado fútbol gran parte de su vida se enterara que Messi se retiró, que el futbol quizas no lo llenaba tanto. Siento que como estudiante se me mueve el piso, y está bien porque ahora veo que existe vida fuera de la residencia. Pero no deja de ser raro, como que me inspiraba en los momentos pesados de la carrera viendo tus entrevistas a médicos en otros paises, y ahora que te retiras de la medicina siento que mi propio camino en la medicina se tambalea, sé que debo vivir mi propia experiencia y en eso tomar mis propias decisiones, pero sin duda que alguien como tú deje este camino me deja con sabor amargo en la boca.
Gracias por leerme, un abrazo.
Así mismo, no pudo describirlo mejor, en estos momentos tengo una sensación agridulce, me siento alegre por él pero a la vez siento tristeza, de cómo tu "ídolo" deja todo lo que por una vez luchó y que fue fuente de inspiración para emprender el mismo camino, sinceramente es duro.
This is a nice video to watch; I have been considering med-school for psychiatry and it is making me evaluate my values. There is a lot that goes into it and the sacrifice involved is intimidating to me. I too have been considering content creation, but my reason being is to start up extracurricular work as well as keep myself fresh in the material I learned as well as to even network. Anyway thanks for sharing!
Can’t give enough likes to this! Your path is unique! Cuba suerte!
Thank you for being brave enough to listen to yourself and to intervene and to make this video to express what many cannot. Subscribing to continue to root for you! Good luck!
This is so shocking to me!! I've followed your path for the last three years, and you have no idea how much you inspired me with your Experiencias IMG videos, and all the super top videos giving us many tips to get prepared for the USMLE journey. I used to think I couldn't wait the day to see you as an IM PYG-1. But life can really change in a blink of an eye and it's important to always hold on to what really makes us happy.. and family, friends and me time will always be essential! Estoy muy feliz de que estés feliz! Y GRACIAS TOTALES por todo lo que nos has enseñado! ❤️
Te admiro muchísimo Santi!! 😭❤️
Voy a comentar en español. Te deseo muchos éxitos en esta nueva etapa Santiago 🤍 sin duda alguna sí hiciste y estás haciendo la diferencia con tu existencia, con el contenido que creas. Muchas gracias por haberme ayudado tanto (y seguir haciéndolo) con temas tan complejos, por haberme sembrado un poquito de amor por la medicina interna aunque aún me falte mucho camino por recorrer.
Fuiste muy valiente al tomar esa decisión. Tu felicidad, tu tiempo y lo que consideres más importante para tí es completamente válido. Lloré cuando contaste que al querer jugar con tu abuelo el ya no podía por sus manitos, me sentí muy identificada con mi abuelito que ya no está en este mundo y hubiese querido aprovechar más el tiempo con él en lugar de haber estado estudiando y estudiando. Como bien dijiste, lo más valioso que tenemos es nuestro tiempo...
Me hiciste cuestionar mucho, gracias por abrirte con nosotros, por ser tan transparente. Que todo lo bueno te acompañe y aquí estaremos muchos apoyándote siempre 💌
Thank you Santiago. Your videos has helped many IMG doctors. You are a very kind person and keep making these videos.
Medicine is a tight rope. Everything you do from the MCAT to boards is high stakes, and it often feels like the outcomes aren’t entirely up to us. I left medical school in 2020, class of ‘22. I’m a wildland firefighter now. I’m thinking about returning and finishing my degree. This morning I’m considering what the best use of time is. I’m really happy with fire & wilderness medicine. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I just wanted to let you know that I really admire your outlook and wisdom in deciding to quit medicine. It takes a lot of courage and self-awareness to make a decision like this, and I have full confidence that you will be able to find a path that brings you happiness and fulfillment. Remember that your happiness and well-being should always be your top priority, and I know that you will be able to create a life that aligns with your values and passions. Keep being brave and true to yourself, and do what you feel fulfills you. We only have one life.
Pursing a residency and fellowship is no joke. It requires years and years of dedication. I see where you are coming from Santiago. Best of luck!
Hi, I’m a medical student and you helped me so much with ranking different resources to study for Step 1! The content you create is invaluable and will indirectly affect the care of so many patients because you help med students pass boards. Thank you so much and I’m happy you can continue to make the best content to help us succeed 😊
You are a brave guy, you have the right to choose what is best for YOU, thank you for inspiring us, God bless you Santiago, wish you all the best !!!!!😇🙏🏻🇨🇴
Este video me cayó como anillo al dedo. Soy de ingeniería y me di cuenta que no quiero ser ingeniero, hubiera amado ser dr, pero tengo un miedo terrible a que se me pase la vida solo estudiando, considerando que empezaría la carrera a mis 25 y me he sentido todo el año justamente como vos, con una muro en frente infranqueable y estoy tratando de descubrir como superarlo por que me sentía super estancado. Este video resonó muchísmo! En especial lo de pensar que uno perdió los últimos 8 años estudiando algo para luego no ejercerlo... Gracias por compartir el video, hace que uno se sienta menos solo.
Happy for you. Im applying into a lifestyle specialty and am very excited. I admire and respect your decision, and hope you find the time and peace you seek. Thank you for all your content - it has helped a lot of people
Which one?
I swear this must be a sign from a higher power bc I've been struggling with the decision to either keep on my current path or take a new path while I still have a chance. I studied health sciences in college in order to pursue a career in the medical field and thanks to scholarships, budgeting, and commuting to a local university, I was able to get a bachelor's degree in health sciences with no loan debt. I picked a career path sort of on a whim bc I felt directionless and I think I became more focused on getting accepted into the grad program I would need that I lost sight of my long-term goals and desires. I was more enamored with proving a point to myself and those around me that I was good enough to be accepted into a program rather than the career itself. I began having doubts even before I took the necessary entrance exam and subsequent application but I pushed through and told myself I was doing the right thing. Now I'm staring down the barrel of tens of thousands of student loans in order to attend a program that truthfully, I don't really feel any excitement or enthusiasm for. The more I've reflected on it, the more I've realized I did what I did to prove a point. My ego was bruised and I wanted to show that I could do it, and technically I have. I was able to get through undergrad debt free and seeing the way my parents struggled with debt makes me reluctant trap myself with the same burden. I did more research on my potential career and was disappointed to find that the return on investment (monetarily speaking) was nowhere near what I thought it'd be. I'd have to work extra hard to pay back the money and that would interfere with the things I'd still like to do in life. I wholeheartedly agree with your point about freedom and autonomy. I want the work the life balance but perhaps more importantly, I want the ability to walk away and do something new if I so choose. That likely wouldn't be attainable bc even if I left the job, I'd still owe money. I'm in my mid 20s with no major responsibilities or anyone relying on me so I if I'm gonna make a change, I should do it now. I figure if I was 100% sold on what I was doing, I wouldn't be having such strong 2nd thoughts. I was so hyper focused on getting in, I don't think I did my due diligence and really explored my options in healthcare. I've been pleasantly surprised recently by the amount of options there are and how close they are to me. I think I'm gonna take time to investigate these options and find something I like. I deeply desire that work life balance and don't wanna work myself to death for something I'm just not as enthusiastic about as I thought I'd be and then be trapped. Anyway, thanks for this video. It's comforting to know that I can change my path and pursue happiness elsewhere
Not everybody gets balls bigger than bulls.
Best wishes for your next endeavor.
You are always a big inspiration.
The first time I came across your videos was when I started studying for USMLE step 1, your tips and tricks helped me establish my baseline and work on myself. Whenever, I felt like I will not be able to achieve it I went through your videos and you motivated me to push ahead. I kinda wanted to be just like you. Thank you for all the motivation and good luck on all your future endeavours!
GARY'S wife Sherrie here. You are so right about your life, I was a Nurse for 40 years and I retired and decided that I was finished. I decided that Nursing and healthcare are all consuming. Work life balance is so important!
You have got balls brother. Loved your confidence, your clear thinking and outlook towards your life.
Somehow, everybody here knows you will ace in any field you'll put your step in.
All my good wishes to you. ✌️
I was in my third year of medical school, when i realised that working as a full time doctor for the rest of my life simply wasn't what i wanted to do even tho my grades were good enough. My thought was maybe working part time but the more i thought about if, the more i realised that unless you go in with the right mindset you'd simply do a disservice. This is why i changed to biochemistry.
I knew something was up, when ur videos were at home not in USA . I LOVE U BUDDY…UR GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND WILL ALWAYS BE UR FANS IM OBGYN , IN RAT RATE NOW, BUT WILL START MY OWN BUSINESS SOON’love u and love u more buddy’
I am in my 6th attempt to get through my first year of medical school. I never failed. Every year, something new happened with medical problems, family events and life events. I used to want to be a surgeon and as time went on and I learned more about life and my needs - I realized the universe has been trying to tell me something. My body has been trying to tell me something. It's the fear of course that has kept me where I am and I just finally have to decide for a better life for myself. There is so much more to my story but I just wanted to say - looking forward to the future and living my life for me with a sense of hope is important. And If I can constantly perform well with everything dragging me down in medicine, I can also become whatever it is I want to do outside of medicine. Anyways, jumbled up thoughts but I wanted to share all that with others.
I am happy to have finished my residency before the onset of the internet, social media and all the distractions. Trained in "no sleep" NYC hospitals and once becoming organized and efficient residency became very cool. You really had to surrender to it and become one with it. Resistance is futile LOL. Looking back those were great years, intense immersion in the fire and learning skills that last a lifetime. Great camaraderie, with exceptions duly noted.
Can we as a society stop shaming people for choosing medicine and then changing their minds. Obviously none of us in the comments are doing that but it is a very common thing I see within our field. Personally, nothing else would make me as happy as being a surgeon so I don’t see myself ever changing but we need people in EVERY field and if everyone who wanted to be a doctor at one point actually became one, then we’d be doomed.
For what it's worth,your videos single handedly challenged me to improve my learning how to learn together with your skillshare course and a thankyou would be an understatement. All I could wish you is all the best in your future endeavors and God bless you.
Here is an option: medicine in europe, especially Scandinavian countries like Norway. Doctors have way more time as they arent pushed to work ober 40 or 50 hours, let alone 70, holidays are paid, days off are paid to some extent, maternal leave and all sorts of stuff that contribute to a better quality of life.
If ur still into medicine, check these options
Best of luck
Sounds hard to get there. Competition with others who want that, learning the language/culture...
I can very much relate to what you talk about since I am on a similar path /transitory phase in my life. Good luck on and with your path!
You made the best choice! No one knows better your struggles and strengths than yourself. You are more than right, Santiago, we are the writers of our story. You are already changing so many lives from being your best self. People have different callings, and I think you just found yours. When you ever think about regretting, just remember what Santiago from now would tell you. 🥰
Hi Santiago, sounds like you have a lot of security, with looking at everything and also securing your way back to medicine if you want to. so it looks like you've covered all your basis as far as your security is concerned. I am from a different back ground and I grew up in the states, went to school here, and I have a lot of loans to pay off. When we invested a lot of things such as time, energy, money, it becomes so difficult to do a change. And I honestly just feel so tired and my body is so defeated and battered. I was in residency for 3 years and got physical and mental health illness due to stress, and it is just so much to keep on going when you know on the inside, you simply got no energy left.
Are you still doing residency? I resonated so much with you from your comment.
Santiago, this video is incredibly relatable to me. I am Miguel. Currently PGY-5 Cardiology fellow at UTHSC Memphis. Best of luck my friend!
Please allow me to call you THE Miguel Maturana, the Kaplan smart guy :)
Dear Santiago, I wish you all the best on your new path. Life is long, we can change our minds and succeed in different journeys. If in the end your change your mind, there is always a way to go back and be fine. Looking forward to seeing where your decisions take you.
Imagine in 10 years when he's working long shifts in Spain getting a paycheck and spending it to support his family, then realizing he's making less money than a nurse makes in the US.
I’ve been following you for the last year and always admired you since the first video I saw, today’s no exception. I’ll still watch your amazing videos and thank you for encouraging me to pursuit challenges I didn’t even considered!
Congratulations for having the courage to do what makes you happy! Medicine is full of sacrifices and sometimes those sacrifices are just not worth losing some of the most important moments of life.
Man, this is a huge news for all your followers ,but it's your journey and you decide how to live it.We support your decision.💪
Desculpe por comentar em portugues. Acabei de me graduar em Medicina aqui no Brasil. E ao longo da faculdade me questionei sobre as mesmas coisas que você disse no seu video. O que mais me impactou foi ver o quanto minha família envelheceu nos anos que fiquei fora estudando. Portanto, decidi parar de sacrificar o tempo com minha família e com meus amigos, parar de sacrificar as coisas além da medicina que eu quero. Escolhi me especializar em psiquiatria, que vai me dar uma estabilidade financeira para ter a vida que eu quero viver, sem deixar o trabalho tomar conta da minha vida inteira.
Boa idea!
I’m following your channel Santiago and find it very helpful. Shocked that you made the decision to leave medicine. I’m sure that it was very tough and also very awakened decision. Time is the most precious capital we can have, so it should be invested with care and careful consideration. Wish you the best in everything. I’m sure you will excel in anything you will decide to pursue.
Your honesty with self is something that makes you stand out and that’s the same quality that is going to make you successful in whatever you undertake !
It isn’t easy to take a decision as such considering the energy and time and money invested but the fact that you have shows that you have thought everything through
More more power to you Santiago !
I hope all your dreams and more come true ❤
Santiago thank you for sharing this journey with us. I used all of your videos to pass my steps and they truly helped keep me motivated through those really hard moments in life! I wish you all the luck, and always do what makes you happy and come alive because that is what life is all about!
I'm now almost starting my 5th year of medicine, have 2 years left to get my MD Degree and i'm also thinking about quitting med school. Maybe programming would be an option for me. I have 25 years old right now. All the sacrifice and life/death desitions that a doctor has to face makes me think if I really want to follow this path... Maybe i should finish med school and look for another path after that, i don't know. I completely agree with you that medicine gives you a certainty an only path that you have to follow to get a stable job. I tried to quit medicine but i started feeling all this fear and thinking about if the Web Development course that i was doing was the correct between a ton of other similar courses and it made me come back to med school...
Maybe i should have more guts and understand that every path has its pros and cons as you said, and do what i think is better for my life... but its not too easy.
I wish the best for your life, thanks for the video that made me realize that i'm not the only one that have this thoughts.
How are you doing right now ?
I have the same issue as yours ......
The ultimate goal is to be happy regardless the situation. I am happy that you found your vocation. The medical field is beautiful and revealing, but you sacrifice a lot to get there. I am trying to get to dermatology btw 😅 so hopefully I can feel that it is my place. I had to go through other specialties working as a medical assistant after I graduated from med school in venezuela. BUT I DID FEEL FOR A MOMENT THAT MEDICINE WAS NOT THE ONLY THING I WANTED IN MY LIFE. I pursued them and now I am in peace of what my life is. I ended up working as a mohs dermatologist medical assistant and I am happy to see it every day. And I think that is what matters.... The journey not the goal. Because you will always want more.
Hello from Brazil. I’m a doctor currently studying to apply for orthopedics but I am honestly not sure what to expect from the future: I’ve never seen my worklife as sth that could bring me joy, but just a way of make a living. And maybe that was a mistake.
So I’m still trying to figure out the next steps of my life… that really hard for me.
Proud of your courage to stand for what u believe in 💛 It may not be an easy path but I know that if ur passionate enough to pursue your craft, you will be able to live the life you dearly love.
Students are expected to commit to medicine at such a young age and after making that premature/uninformed decision you are basically crippled into staying via debt/obligations/fear/etc. I commend you for your bravery. Best of luck Santiago!
Santiago, you are a ridiculously talented medical professional and let me tell you, you can and will be able to balance residency and ID fellowship with your other passions. Even your content will get a huge refresh when and if you enter residency!
Yo he pensado todo lo que mencionas en este video, y estoy en 10mo semestre de medicina. Me quedan dos años y medio con el internado y me he dado cuenta cada vez más que no quiero ejercer una carrera ni en una especialidad que demande todo mi tiempo y salud. Me gusta es aprender, por esto me gusta ademas medicina interna, pero no para ejercerlo, solo para saciar la curiosidad.
I agree with you 100% and I know how you feel. Hope you find the best path for you, with all that you need.
¡Hola! ¡Espero estés bien! Quiero agradecerte por toda la ayuda que nos has dado a lo largo de nuestra preparación para estos exámenes, también por las técnicas de estudio y por los otros videos. También muchas gracias por todo el tiempo invertido en enseñar a otras personas a estudiar mejor, y por compartir tus experiencias. Indiferentemente si decides otro rumbo para tu vida siempre van a haber personas que te admiren por lo que haces, por quien eres. Eres una excelente persona, y para ser sincero creo que con tus capacidades y habilidades puedes llegar muy en lo que sea que quieras hacer. ¡Gracias por todo! ¡Saludos amigo!
Dear Santiago; hope everything goes well! I find very interesting your experience in the path you’ve done until this time, many of us were there, but no one told us the things you’ve mention. In my specific case, after finish General Surgery Residency, I took Cardiovascular Surgery as sub specialty; but after finish the time of Residency and prepare myself for the defense of the end-specialty-paper, in a world congress of Laser, I see how a coronary artery get opened with this optical fiber, no stent evolving this procedure, so after talk with the Profesor who perform this, they told me that Laser Surgery and Medicine it’s a new specialty, but requires training in Plastic Surgery to perform others procedures, rather than general surgery or vascular surgery. So I Thinkvery well and follow this new path. After almost 18 years of specialty I feel so happy of the choice I made at that time; so it’s up to you or any colleague to feel yours instincts and find a specialty when every singe day of work it’s full of joy and emotions! Also give me time to do Researching in Biophotonic field. My wife and kids love what I do every day, specially the Congress trips! None this will happened if I remain in my old plan, so thanks for sharing your experience, hope can inspire other colleagues to not leave the medicine field, just find the specialty that you like and enjoy the everyday work. Currently I practice Phlebology and Vascular Laser Medicne and Surgery, as well as Plastic Laser Medicine and Surgery. All the best for you!!!
I know you can still make a difference Santiago! Totally understand your decision. The pay as a doctor in the US is good, but unless you’re a surgeon, or in one of the highly competitive residencies, you most likely will get burned out. Healthcare here is the US is so broken, that it doesn’t make sense to sacrifice the life that we want. There’s so much politics within and outside the system and you don’t have control over it. I’ve seen many colleagues becoming desensitized towards patients and other colleagues; and that’s a really sad place to be. You feel stuck and miserable. I remember seeing a doctor lash out at those difficult patients, because even though you go through the years of education and training, you will still get mistreated by people. However; You feel like you have to do this. Worse of all is being on call and handling individuals who cuss you out and literally will harass you for medications. The winners here in the US are the pharmaceuticals and insurance companies, trying to lower their compensations on various procedures so that they can keep the most bank 💰
I went to a foreign medical school but unable to finish it. I was depressed and stressed out and completely changed my life. However, the passion for medicine and knowledge never gone in me. After taking a few years to readjust my life and resolved all the craziness that happened. Now, I am working my way back to get into U.S. Med school. I had worked at many different jobs outside of medical field, but consistently feeling medicine is the right career for me. A friend of mine who went to medical school with keep telling me that medicine is not rewarding any more and he discourages me to do it every-time we talk. I am thinking maybe his passion and goal for it is different from mine. I am looking forward to get into a medical school next year. Thanks for your thoughts and videos, Santiago. I found yours when I lost my medical tract a few yrs ago and have been following your channel.
This realization probably happens frequently, sadly the thought of loans, the social and intrinsic pressures, and fear of the unknown hinder students from making the best decision for themselves.
Hey Santiago I really appreciate your courage and I believe you’ve made the right decision. It’s really hard to do medicine and focus on other areas of life at the same time…we sacrifice so much pursuing medicine without noticing what we have lost 😢 just wanna say I love your videos and they helped me a lot! You’re a talented person and I believe you will do an excellent job no matter in what field 🎉
Hi, I've been watching your videos during the time I was preparing for my step exams, but I had taken an eerily similar detour like you. I would definitely advise you to reconsider as, you've already cleared the hard part with the exams and the CV. The thing is, the entrepreneurship path does not suddenly close when you go to the US. It remains open, and very much so, I would argue that you have ten fold the opportunity in view of the the connections and network that comes with staying in America for the same things you want to pursue. Think again. Take something somewhat in line with your interest's and pursue your hustle on the side.
i did not see this coming. this feels like a break up for some reason. but glad for you to having come to a decision that fulfills you.
So happy to have found you here.. on the same video. 😉 He sounds really wise.
Yep, you can pretty much kiss your 20s goodbye. But I still managed to get married and have a kid. Once you hit your 30s, though, and start building your practice, it's worth it. I love what I do (ophthalmologist).
To everyone pursuing a challenge, such as the medical journey, REMEMBER THE "WHY!" We should take some time every so often to disconnect from distractions and reflect on the reason(s) for doing something. Do not fear events and character growth that may alter interests and propel you into new, unfamiliar terrain. Instead, embrace the fact that you have one life to live and that the worst decision is too often indecision. This video gave me great insight to reflect on my "WHY" for medical school and beyond. I hope everyone does the same :)
Thanks Santiago for sharing. I am a doctor too and I am literally exhausted from burn out. I started my RUclips channel and basically trying to get a path for myself in the online space. This is inspiring. This coming year is really a make or break point for me because I dread having to go back to those hospital shifts and call if this fails. Thanks 🙏 again for sharing your journey.
Do it part time then. RUclips is not a career path
@@sobeliever1638 you won’t understand. Thanks for your comment though.
@@scenicworldtours What's your specialty?
@@LordLentils I am not specialized yet. Currently on my USMLE step 2 path
Doctor Santiago personalmente me has inspirado a querer salir de mi pais y crecer en otro lugar,no eres famoso como Messi o algun influencer pero para los estudiantes de Medicina eres un ejemplo y la vida se trata de eso encontrar tu pasion,la razon porque no dejo medicina es porque quiero ayudar a otros ese es mi mayor anhelo lastimosamente quiero una mejor calidad de vida y eso en mi pais no lo encuentro,tal ves algun dia encuentre otra pasion como usted pero me alegra que viva lo que usted quiere hacer.
I'm in grad school for teaching and currently in my residency, for sure it's not the same as med school but I can relate to work-life balance being uneven. I haven't even touched my cello for about a year. There's so much to teaching and you often end up taking your work home. Teachers wear so many hats and there's so much we juggle that I did not foresee before getting into the program. It can get very stressful and it's affected my health. I am close to graduating but I just don't even know I'm sure what I'll want to do after graduating.
Hey Dr. Santiago, thank you for your bravery and sharing with us your plans. Good luck whichever way you choose to go!!!
The reason I decided to become a nurse was because I discovered the power of creative problem solving. Your story reminds me to stay true to being myself as both an artist and aspiring healthcare professional. Thank you for being yourself with the world. 🌟✨☀️
Damn, this is exactly how I feel.
5th year med student, I come from a family of doctors with many relatives also working in medical field. I never realized how difficult it all is until I started uni myself.
I can now see why mom got fed up and quit her job and how my dad is always tired and has to go to work earlier and come home later just to finish all the paperwork. Idk, after knowing that this is what awaits me in the future, I don't want to be a doctor anymore in this reality. I love the medicine itself, but not the fact that everyone expects doctors to not have a personal life and just work-sleep. And older doctors also enforce this mentality to the younger ones. Our teachers have told us on numerous occasions that medicine is a sacred field and you need to sacrifice everything to practice it.
Dudes, no. It's just a job, like any other. I want to finish my job at 4pm, go home and forget about it till the next morning at 8 am.
Idk, I am currently getting a second degree in English, so maybe I will do something that's not medicine in the end
@K it is though. You also trust pilots with your life, yet they can go and rest after their shift ends.
@K
Patients think doctors don't need to eat, sleep, go for a walk and so on. Haven't you seen that whole thing about a doctor who posted a photo of herself in a bikini and everyone went nuts? Yep, that's the public opinion
Once, a patient called me at 3 at night and asked me to look at her baby's poop. At 3 o'clock! Like, wtf woman, I am sleeping.
And there is also no lunch break for doctors, at least in my country.
Well, good for the pilots then. Everyone should have a normal life-work balance and work conditions.
You are looking at this issue from an outside, you don't really get what's happening in the field.
Anyway, I am not interested in continuing this conversation. So, goodbye and have a good life
Where are you from?
after 22 years practice in pharmacy as a clinical pharmacist at VA , i did quit my job all of sudden at age of 53 . I simply could not tolerate the micro management anymore .I could NOT take so many BS anymore . BUT , I established my pension and my ..social security and a good 401 K ..... so my advice to people watching this , make sure that you get some social security and pension plan, Medicare plan and 401 k so when you get to age of 62 you are not homeless ..... DO NOT QUIT EARLY BEFORE YOU ESTABLISHE THE ABOVE .ITS A BIG BIG BIG MISTAKE TO QUIT EARLY LIKE HIM ......HE MADE A HUGE MISTAKE ......DO not do the same mistake he did
watching ur videos sounds like hearing how bad is owning bugatti chiron, man don't waste the chance, just keep going and after u r done with residency do whatever u want, but not now, thats ur golden chance u got one of the highest usmle scores, everything indicates that u'll be a brilliant doctor, don't get overwhelmed by social media.
i’m a third year rn and I have 3 more rotations left and 4th year electives and i’ve been feeling this way since semester 1 first year but i’ve been excelling and pushing through bc well im i’m passing I might as well continue bc it’s secure but since working in the rotations- I have bonded with my patients so much but as per the dr lifestyle and what’s to come I feel so suffocated and my vibrant personality is like what are we doing here it’s so stuffy😂. your video means everything to me bc I am learning to lean into taking calculated risks ie leaving medicine and this video was the sign I needed to continue to listen to that inner voice
So happy that you found the best path for you! Thanks for all that you've done for us students and may all the best of success come your way!
Medical school and residency are emotional and physical drags. But overtime as an attending there is more flexible, simply because of your seniority and increased flexibility with controlling your schedule, but also because your salary allows for greater social flexibility. Don’t give up on medicine. It gets better.
It depends on your specialty. And if you have such a flexible schedule you're probably a family physician or internal medical specialist and would not be making that much.
does it really get better?!
at what age i can seem myself with great flexibility and better lifestyle?
Ví tu video y me recordó mucho a un youtuber que admiro mucho también, llamado Ali Abdal, el dejó la medicina después de empezar su canal de youtube, está teniendo mucho éxito y se le ve muy feliz, espero que te vaya de lo mejor a tí también, que vivas una vida en la que cada mañana te sientas orgulloso de tus logros, sabiendo que sea el camino que elegiste, lo hayas hecho siguiendo a tu corazón 🥰
Hermano que historia tan interesante. Yo estoy en Colombia y siempre me gustaba ver tus vídeos en Medilearner. Pero que interesante ver qué no todo médico tiene que tener misma ruta del specialty. Yo igual me gradué hace dos años y he estado pensando mucho que voy a hacer con mi vida como médico. Me estuve preparando para el PLAB del UK. Nunca me encontré en una especialidad específica. Como muy bien lo dices hay un campo abierto de oportunidades y un sin fin de combinaciones para armar tu camino. Y nunca nada es "wasted". Como decía Steve Jobs solo hay que aprender a unir los puntos. Éxitos.
Muy valiente y respetable tu decisión. Muchos exitos papa y que la vida le traiga buenas cosas!
I’ve been watching a video for a long time and I’m really proud of you. You’re very brave and good for you. I hope all the best for you.
I am in the same position as u , kudos to your guts , your strategies to conquer your fear . Thank u
its not only medicine. it's life. no one who is successful has a chill life.
Go for it! I'm not interested in residency anymore either. I'm more interested in financial freedom, living life and being with loved ones. Hone your skills. Like Dr. Joe Dispenza said, "your heart and mind needs to have coherence".