Hi Jenny, I'm a family medicine physician assistant and appreciate your insight. You're so inspiring and youre such a role model to all of us. I battled between going to PA school and medical school for a long time. Going to an ivy league college and having Asian parents, it was difficult for me to balance the pressures between what I wanted vs what those around me wanted. For those who are struggling, I would encourage you to think about what your priorities are and if you can truly find fulfillment in either job. For me, I do not do well in high stress environments, felt already burnt out in college, and I felt like becoming a doctor would be too much for my mental health. I also didn't mind being under a physician and having oversight since I'm more follower- type and have a more passive personality. Being a PA in FM is always intellectually stimulating, I learn new things everyday! I agree that we will never learn as much as a doctor might learn after residency, but that doesnt mean we cannot strive to do so each day! I like having a collaborating physician on hand and do agree that we should not practice just by ourselves. Being a PA is knowing what you don't know and asking help when you need it - you cannot be prideful and take that risk of hurting a patient. I do not regret my decision of becoming a PA and think that my job is one of the luckiest jobs in the world. Do what makes you happy; life is too short to do it for others.
@@drjennale yes that totally makes sense! As a PA, you might not know as much as a doctor knows right after residency, but with good on the job training and having the motivation to learn new things every day, you can be a great practitioner. We're never going to replace doctors - just trying to fill that provider gap in areas that need our services!
I love being a PA! 🥰 I work in a surgical sub-specialty and I collaborate with a team of great doctors, plus I’m definitely the type of person who more comfortably fills of the role of a great team player vs the lead calling the shots. I still get to experience the continuity of care with patients, make meaningful decisions in terms of treatment plans, assist in surgery and do procedures, and I have a great schedule without call or weekend work. I graduated PA school in my mid-20s, make a comfortable salary, have time to enjoy hobbies and travel, and will be debt free in a few short years. No kids yet, but I know I’ll be in a good place to do so when I’m ready. It’s a great career - but you definitely have to do some soul-searching and decide which path fits your goals and personality. As long as you’re okay playing the role of Robin (PAs and NPs) to the Batmans (DO and MDs) of the world, it’s a great field that fills the need for more mid-level providers to improve access to healthcare for patients across the board. We’re all part of the same team and I admire the training, experience and knowledge of our docs so much! Just do what feels right for you.
I’m in my undergrad as pre-PA and EVERYONE has told me “you’re smart why would you want to be an assistant be a doctor” and inside I’m like I PROMISE I have looked at the options and I know I’m smart and I could be a doctor but I’ve decided I want to be a PA. It’s not about being less smart it’s about what I want in life and what I want to do.
Omg thanks for putting your story out here! My dad was also a computer engineer and both my parents worked so much, but I also didn't notice because we had dinner together every night. I'm a med student wanting to go into family medicine but have been having doubts about continuing on because I'm scared of missing out on my future kids' lives. I love your videos because it's like a reality check on what it takes. Thanks for being so inspiring 🥺
This video helped me so much as a college student deciding between PA and MD. Ive been driving myself crazy and taking advice from dozens of MDs at my job as I am a medical scribe in the ER. I want to be able to live life and possibly have kids one day. As well as travel. I have been listening to so many people, but not myself. Thank you so much for this video I really needed to hear it. It also funny that you given e the idea of being a PA in a surgical setting, I thing I would absolutely love to do that !!!!
New family medicine PA and yep, I agree, it is difficult. I wanted to start in family medicine because you learn soooo much. I’m also interested in derm, GI, ER, UC, and Gen surg so we will see what happens! One of my biggest reasons for picking PA was the ability to change specialties as I would be bored in the same forever. But I also love working as a team. At my practice, I see my own patients, seeing max 14 a day currently. I have two physicians, another PA, and NP to ask questions to. And then of course one of the physicians is my SP who signs off on my notes. He will sometimes send me a message on my note with recommendations which honestly I love because it’s how I learn. Like.. maybe do a CXR or do a referral to a certain specialist.
I’m the newest addition to my clinic and everyone else has been working there for 7+ years! I still ask lots of question even being a doctor. The great thing about medicine is that we’re always learning. All our doctors also see patients in 30 minute intervals so I see max 14 a day too. Excited to see where medicine takes you Lisa. I remember a while back you just graduated! Happy to see you enjoying medicine.
I'm a medstudent in Scandinavia who had a kid during university, and I'm hopefully starting residency this autumn. Planning on going into family medicine in the future so It is so nice to hear someone defend my chosen specialty! You are such an inspiration! When I tell my co-students that I want to do primary care I always get such weird looks but I guess I don't mind since in the end I'll have an easier time getting a job and also end up with better hours and pay than my wannabe-surgeon friends...
This is the most helpful video, I've been deciding between PA and MD/DO for the past few months and your points are stated so transparently and well. I'm also asian and although my parents would never force me to be a doctor, I sometimes that I should go the extra mile just to make them proud. Thank you for the much needed reminders
this video really helped reinforce that PA is the best path for me :-) im so happy you’re so passionate about fam med! it’s def not the specialty for me but i can totally see the perks of it. i wish i had a PCP like you!
@@Legal.Knievel The training is much more rigorous. More similar to medical school. Also you do not have to work as a nurse first which many people do not care to do.
Hey Jenny, this is such a great video and you are such an amazing representative for family medicine. I don't think I've really seen anyone else speak this passionately about this field and I am so happy that you are so happy with it :D
I wanted to be a PA but my family just laughed and said I'll be an assistant for the rest of my life and do the dirty work a doctor doesn't want to do. Ugh parents and their old fashioned mindset, if you're not a doctor then you're not good enough for them, soo annoying
I had similar cultural up bringing. Then when you’re a doctor - they ask why don’t you make more money 😅 you can’t please everyone so just start living for yourself. It took me a long time to figure that out and still actively trying to unlearn all the toxic and unrealistic expectations.
Many PAs practice with high levels of autonomy and independence. I have shadowed several PAs and two of them worked as the only provider in their clinic. I think your family just needs some more education about the career. Not many people understand what PAs actually do.
@@taylorlee2315 that’s not the PA philosophy though right? My understanding is that the PA goal is to work collaboratively as part of a team with physicians rather than on their own.
A few months ago I actually commented on one of your videos asking about this question of PA vs MD/DO. My program for PA school actually combines my bachelors with PA school so I actually am a junior in college but I’m in my first year of PA school. My program has 3 years rather than 2 of PA school. I was really nervous that as a PA I may not be fulfilled by the career and that it might bother me that as a PA I do work technically under a doctor even if it’s a collaboration. I think my opinion will continue to change as I go throughout my program and start working, but what is interesting to me in my experience is that some of the med students I work alongside in the hospital I don’t ever notice myself behind or knowing any less than them. Often actually they come to me to ask how to do hands on skills or for other questions and I think that’s interesting because obviously MD/DO have more schooling and it’s kind of a common thought that because of it they know more. But I really think it depends on the person because there probably are other med students who do know more than me and there are some that might know less. The nice thing about my program is I have 3 years so really I have only one less year. I think the differentiation between me and those med students however will come when they go to residency for something specific. That being said, there are actually residencies for specific sub specialities if i wanted to do that, but it’s not required. I think for me the benefit of PA really is because I’m doing the 5 year program and I’ll be coming out working at 23 and for me when I think about it if I were to go to med school and have gone that route I wouldn’t have actually been practicing medicine till I was 27/28 if not later, but instead now I’ll have 3-5 years of actually working experience and to me as a provider by that point I’ll be more experienced than that 27/28 year old med student with way less student debt and hopefully fulfilled by my job, which I think for a PA is really found by finding a provider that you love and work well with to get the balance between this is in my scope of practice and what I know how to do and these are the things I might have to ask for help on. This has become a lengthy comment, but I just write this experience for any other pre pa or high school students thinking of PA and MD/DO. There are so many different routes and ways to do things and it is such a personal decision that is tough to make. I think I find comfort in knowing that if by the end of my PA school I find I want to purse further education to become a MD/DO I will not have wasted time, but really have gotten ahead by already have a background knowledge of medicine already. Anyways I love this video and your perspectives!!! Very insightful and I aspire to find the balance and love for my career that you show!
This was so nice to watch as an M3 going through the constant critiques on my clerkships. I know it is going to continue into residency but hopefully, it is more constructive that I have experienced thus far.
I am sorry you haven’t receive constructive criticism. It may be scary to give your own feedback - but how else will attending and residents learn to be better teachers!
I’m only 15, so I have some time but I’ve considered MD/DO and PA/ NP. I think I’m leaning more towards PA/NP because of getting to work earlier and the debt of MD/DO is a lot and unfortunately I think the debt will continue to rise. I’d also like to have a family when I’m mature/finically stable enough for one. Thanks for the video!
@@Legal.Knievel First of all, PA education is much more rigorous and in-depth than NP, it's not even comparable. They already had thousands of hours of patient care experience before they even applied (usually 2,500-3,000 on average). Then when they get to PA school they gain 2,000 hours of clinical experience compared to 500 for NP. Second, they study on the medical model as opposed to the nursing model. NPs spend more time being personable while the PA student is learning about to be more informed on medicine. So sure, NPs may be more "personable" but I'd rather my provider skip the bullshit and just tell me straight up what's wrong and how they can fix it. Additionally, PA school is very competitive. An applicant needs a 3.6 GPA, 2500 hours of patient care experience, volunteering/leadership experience, and recommendation letters from a provider to be considered average. Meanwhile, there are more and more online degree mills popping up for NP.
I need a primary doctor right about now! Sadly I've been going to urgent care for yearly exam, but at least I get myself checked out yearly. I am a Pre-PA student who's currently in a Cardiovascular Technology program. Hoping that working in the Cath lab and IR lab will be a great minor for getting my clinical hours for PA school to become a Cardiothoracic PA! I always wanted to be a first assist in the OR so I figured why not become a PA and make more money than being a regular surgical technologist with a surgical first assist certificat doing the same job in the OR. Even a cardiovascular technologist makes more then a regular surgical technologist because it's a specialty. $40/hr after graduating my minor in May 2024 doesn't sound bad at all while getting my bachelor's degree to apply to PA school doesn't sound bad at all!
#goals. I got into medical school this cycle and I am very motivated by your words. I'm gonna save this video and watch every time I struggle during medical school.
I love this! I’m 37. Been with my hubs for 22 yrs & no kids, yet. But I feel like when we do, I’d want to work part time or be a full time mom. I know how hard the med field can be & can only imagine the stress that sits on a docs shoulders. Sometimes it’s difficult not to bring that mood home which can hinder precious quality fam time. Thank you for sharing your story! 💪🏼❤️
I think that’s such I huge thing that I didn’t really touch on. I think about my patients all the time. And stressful days at work are very hard on the family. It has been harder in the state of the pandemic.
@@drjennale one day, they’ll truly understand. You do what you have to! Their mom is a warrior. Doctors & nurses are the unsung, quiet heroes of all time. ❤️❤️❤️💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Jenny, you mentioned that you wouldn't choose to become a doctor if you currently had children. Do you think you would regret making that choice to be a PA instead of a doctor for the sake of more family time or would you find peace in not having the ideal role in exchange? I don't currently have kids, but I know I value spending quality time with my family far more than my career. I am currently am in my late 20s working in healthcare and am thinking about going back to school for PA or MD/DO. I am leaning towards PA because of the lifestyle and ability to work sooner without the sacrifice that is residency. However, I know that I want to know as much as I can when caring for patients (and am worried of the knowledge gap between PA/doc) and I think I'd prefer more the "leader" role, which makes it hard for me to let go of the idea of applying to med school. I go back and forth on these last two sentences, and it truly feels like a debate on whether I am willing to sacrifice my 30s for knowledge (to practice at earliest 38-40) or choose a career that hits only some of my career needs in order to fulfill my lifestyle needs. I love that you emphasize work life balance as a doctor, but when I thinking about raising children while enduring residency in my mid-late thirties - I feel completely out of balance. I don't want to regret doing a shorter route to pursue PA, but I may go that way for the sake of having an easier time starting a family. Would love your insight - thanks!
There have been many people who have grew their families in residency. From the outside looking in - it seems crazy. But we are all stronger than we realize. My friend was 38 when she started her family in residency. I think if I was going to go back and just did PA then I would have regrets knowing how happy I am with my career now. At the same time, it’s hard to know what type of career I could have had as a PA. Possibly doing urgent care, or derm, or aesthetics. All sounds exciting! The knowledge gap is the only thing that would haunt me. If you want to be a leader and full autonomy - highly recommend MD/DO.
4:50 is essential. Another important point: 8:00 Primary care serves as a patient's advocate navigating the specialties. Nothing beats a good primary care doc. Well, maybe an ED doc. ;p
I think that’s interesting that you’re not comfortable with PA as primary providers because that’s what many programs are training their students towards. If you could, what would you like to see from PA programs that will strengthen their clinical skills as primary providers?
Btw I totally understand that this is a loaded question. 😅 but I’m just genuinely curious as a pre-pa student. It also gives a better perspective of how PAs are currently viewed as primary providers from the stand point of different members of the healthcare team and how it can be improved.
It took 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency for me to feel minimally confident practicing independently. There is just too much to know in general practice. I think if PAs had a residency or a requirement of practicing under a physician for x amount a years to ensure they pass core competencies? But I think the goal of PAs are always to work under a physician rather than independent practice. In these cases, I think you would see lower acuity patients and I personally would not be stimulated enough.
@@drjennale they made PA school 5 years, I’ve been applying and I’ve been so confused because so many videos say 2 years but I think they recently changed it?
@@briannahoward3950 PA programs are on average 27 months. Some programs are 36 months but that’s the longest I’ve come across. There is typically 12 months of didactic or textbook learning. Then there is 15 months of rotations in many different specialties.
I love your videos and appreciate the content you've been putting out! I would love it if you could make a video on the scope of your current practice? What type of procedures have you been able to incorporate?
Jenny I feel like we are so similar with our ambitions and seeing all this schooling and money spent, as an investment in ourselves. You've validated this for me, so thank you!! ❤️ I always look forward to watching your videos and seeing your fam 😃
Great video Dr. Le! It would be nice to know about your schedule. As a father of a 1 year old and married I also think about what kind of specialty I want to pursue in the future. I'm a senior in college, Pre-med, but it's always in my mind.
You will always be able to determine your schedule as a physician. You may have to sacrifice pay or location but it’s all negotiable. It’s just hard to a lot of people to work less with a crazy about of school loans you have once you’re done with residency
This was such a great video!! I feel like you were pretty unbiased. I still can’t decide and am so torn. I am the most indecisive person so the feeling of omg idk what to do at all is the worst 😅 Maybe you can help me LOL I just turned 20 I have one year left my bachelors degree but if I go to medical school I may need to take a gap year to prepare for MCAT and submit application on time. The only thing that keeps me from medical school is how long + intense it is. As a PA school is shorter & you get to work sooner. But I’m not sure I want to not call the shots when it comes to what I believe should be done for my patient. Fearful that I will waste my youth studying so much though. So many other factors too. I want a family + balance but I also want to do dermatology so that’s possible. BUT what if dermatology is so competitive and I don’t make it 🧐 LOL the doubts between which way to go on and on.
Thank you so much for this video (I’ve been binge watching all of them so you may see me comment a bunch of times lol). It really helped me. I’m a junior in high school trying to figure out my future. I really value family time and want a good work/life balance. What are some specialties that allow for this (other than surgery)? Thank you!
Maybe I missed the point in the video but why didn’t you want to be a family medicine PA like especially if you’re part time? Just wondering honestly. I can’t make up my mind. Everyone keeps telling me PA’s have the best lifestyle aka work life balance
thank you so much for this! i wonder how common it is for physicians to work part time right out of residency? you did mention that your workload is still quite high, so do you find that clinics are accommodating to part time docs, or has the job market changed too much?
2/4 of my co-residents went part time. I think my workload is manageable. It’s 18 patient contact hours a week. 30 minutes per patient. So on average I’ll see 36 patients a week. I’m also efficient at writing my notes so I will say I am actually working about 25 hours? Everyone in my clinic is working part time! It has been great!
Depending on where you’re working. In the ED, PAs and NPs usually seeing straight forward issues like Ear pain, laceration, etc. Doctors will see patients that require more complex work up like Chest pain, stroke, GI bleed, etc. On the out patient setting, I guess you would just have self monitor as a midlevel. Like ask for help when you don’t know and/or refer. But it’s hard to know what you don’t know.
@@drjennale Thank you so much for clarifying! This is one of my main concerns when choosing a route because I enjoy puzzles and complex problem solving. Your input is so helpful :)
Great video Dr. Le! I loved hearing your thoughts and enthusiasm for family medicine. I'm currently a medical student and am interested in PM&R. Do you have any experience with that field? Best wishes to you!
Yes! Did a PM&R elective in med school - they went on to specialize in pain medicine. 3 of my friends in med school match PM&R. Great option for diversity and procedures!
@@drjennale Thanks for sharing! Yeah I like the pain and procedural aspect of PM&R. Do you to have to oversee PAs/NPs in addition to your own practice? Would love to see a video on this topic.
I’m already in my feels tonight but this almost made me cry.. 🥲 just you telling everyone to dig deep and drown out the noise.. I’m so overwhelmed with listening to everyones opinions and trying to maintain my “reputation.” I’m just really torn on which path to pursue. Thank you so much for sharing your story💛
Being raised in a very culturally Asian upbringing, “reputation” is everything! And to be honest - I wish I broke more rules, had to courage to explore more, and used more of my youth to make mistakes because that is how we learn and grow and discover ourselves. Good luck no matter your decision ❤️
I looked into PA before and I would definitely not go down that path. One of the reasons is that I live in northern california and RN, PA, and NP all make the same amount. The other reason is my gpa is 3.3 in microbiology without grade replacement for my 1 F. Getting into a PA school with those stats I would need about 3 years minimum to take extra prereqs and have enough clinical experience to make up for it. With that amount of effort in getting in I would definitely try to go DO instead. It just doesn't add up to put in that much effort to become a midlevel to me. I'm surprised people don't talk about the negatives of going PA instead of MD/DO more often. You often would have to work 1-3 years after graduating undergrad on a lower income similar to residency, but with less stress and hours of course before you can get accepted. The time seems better spent to just go to medical school and have those lower years of salary directly focused on medical training and when you graduate you have a greater salary to work part time + full autonomy for the rest of your career compared to PA which you would need to work full time for the same salary.
Hey Jenny, I was recently accepted into med school this past December and I am very interested in family medicine. As I’m talking to my fellow incoming ms1s many of them say there’s no point in becoming a family med physician nowadays due to the number of nps and pas who practically run primary care. I love family med, but I’m curious if you think it’s still worth pursuing when pas and nps seem to be at the forefront of the field? Is there still a need for family medicine physicians as there once was?
There is always a need for a family medicine physician. The training for PA and NP is not enough to provided comprehensive care. I personally had multiple job offers! Study of n=1 😅 just keep an open mind. You don’t truly have to decide until 3rd year
I think you have the best of intentions considering how the egos of most people who go onto medicine can get in the way but.. I will say I don’t think it’s fair to say for PA don’t learn enough to provide “comprehensive care” data and studies show otherwise that they are able to show just as competent care their medical counterparts especially being trained in the medical model AND to be pcps. Idk y it just always seems like if you go to medical school people have to throw shade towards a profession that maybe didn’t go as long as them. Like it’s logical to think if you had more schooling you’d know more (or should) but people who go to PA CHOSE it for a reason. It’s like me just saying I could easily throw shade towards Primary care docs in comparison to other more specialized docs.. but what’s the point. I wish this wasn’t a thing in medicine but it is. It’s a team effort for a reason everyone should just play their role and don’t mind the glit and glamour
@@brookiered7207 agreed, people also don't realize that PAs and NPs often enter their programs with much more clinical experience than med students. Just from working as an MA for 1 year, I was exposed to medical conditions that my friend who is an M3 has never even heard of before... I don't think competency should solely be defined by the number of years in school.
@@itsjaymee YES speak queen haha. But no seriously this is how I compare it. I feel like that comment is analogous to someone saying well, since MDs didn't go to pharmacy school they shouldn't or are NOT competent enough to provide comprehensive pharmacological care then right? Same thing! But hey people believe what they want.
Thank you for your honesty!! I’m 29 single with no kids 👩🏽 & I really value family (close to my parents & siblings) ! I did a DIY post-bacc & currently applying for med school! I fear I may have gotten too old though & was wondering what age is too old ? Will I be turned down for my age? I was hoping to get into med school at age 27 as a nontrad but my school chem dept was awful due to a very unprofessional professor (my university is dealing with a racist scandal rn) so I took 2 semester off from gen chem but continued with the other prerequisites
There is no limit for med school! My co-resident would be done with residency in her early 50’s because medicine is her second career! It never too late 💪🏽👩🏻⚕️ sorry to hear our your professor. We in medicine understand that life happens. We look more at the trajectory than a single point in time.
@@drjennale you can look at this channel name legal eagle. He made a short video about it. He is a lawyer and he give a lawyer view on it. But we need a doctor view on this one.
@@drjennale omg thanks for replying to my comment! (Legit fan girling hard right now) . I’m starting med school this summer. As I embark on this journey, I hope I can narrow the areas where my strengths will most suit my future patients ❤️.
im an OMS-1, just married, and 25 years old. by the time i graduate ill be 29 and i will want to have babies if we dont accidentally have one before!! lol. i am interested in family medicine, and even think about doing a shared/part time residency to make time for family, although i dont know the details about it at all or how realistic it is. could you share what you know about shared/part time residencies for FM? :)
I haven’t heard of any shared part time residencies! I have heard of residents taking some months off - I know a Peds resident that took 6 months off. And then came back and finished residency. For sure there are job share part time positions as an attending!
@@drjennale i have only heard of shared part time residencies on pages like studentdoctor.net lol so maybe they’re pretty rare. that’s nice to know it may be possible to take some time off if needed though. thanks for responding :)
There is still much misogyny in medicine and little support for moms navigating medical training. This is my experience as someone who grew her family while in med school and residency. Maybe as someone who does not have a uterus, your considerations of why or why not you would pursue medicine would be different - and that is totally fine.
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Hi Jenny, I'm a family medicine physician assistant and appreciate your insight. You're so inspiring and youre such a role model to all of us. I battled between going to PA school and medical school for a long time. Going to an ivy league college and having Asian parents, it was difficult for me to balance the pressures between what I wanted vs what those around me wanted. For those who are struggling, I would encourage you to think about what your priorities are and if you can truly find fulfillment in either job. For me, I do not do well in high stress environments, felt already burnt out in college, and I felt like becoming a doctor would be too much for my mental health. I also didn't mind being under a physician and having oversight since I'm more follower- type and have a more passive personality. Being a PA in FM is always intellectually stimulating, I learn new things everyday! I agree that we will never learn as much as a doctor might learn after residency, but that doesnt mean we cannot strive to do so each day! I like having a collaborating physician on hand and do agree that we should not practice just by ourselves. Being a PA is knowing what you don't know and asking help when you need it - you cannot be prideful and take that risk of hurting a patient. I do not regret my decision of becoming a PA and think that my job is one of the luckiest jobs in the world. Do what makes you happy; life is too short to do it for others.
Love this! So happy that you are thriving in family medicine. My only worry is not knowing the things I don’t know ... if that makes any sense 😅
@@drjennale yes that totally makes sense! As a PA, you might not know as much as a doctor knows right after residency, but with good on the job training and having the motivation to learn new things every day, you can be a great practitioner. We're never going to replace doctors - just trying to fill that provider gap in areas that need our services!
I love being a PA! 🥰 I work in a surgical sub-specialty and I collaborate with a team of great doctors, plus I’m definitely the type of person who more comfortably fills of the role of a great team player vs the lead calling the shots. I still get to experience the continuity of care with patients, make meaningful decisions in terms of treatment plans, assist in surgery and do procedures, and I have a great schedule without call or weekend work. I graduated PA school in my mid-20s, make a comfortable salary, have time to enjoy hobbies and travel, and will be debt free in a few short years. No kids yet, but I know I’ll be in a good place to do so when I’m ready. It’s a great career - but you definitely have to do some soul-searching and decide which path fits your goals and personality. As long as you’re okay playing the role of Robin (PAs and NPs) to the Batmans (DO and MDs) of the world, it’s a great field that fills the need for more mid-level providers to improve access to healthcare for patients across the board. We’re all part of the same team and I admire the training, experience and knowledge of our docs so much! Just do what feels right for you.
Ahhhh love all of this 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
You ARE successful. You have your degree, a beautiful family, you're a great mom. You are definitely successful.
Thank you 🥰 I do feel really lucky to be working this job I’m so passionate about 💪🏽👩🏻⚕️
I’m in my undergrad as pre-PA and EVERYONE has told me “you’re smart why would you want to be an assistant be a doctor” and inside I’m like I PROMISE I have looked at the options and I know I’m smart and I could be a doctor but I’ve decided I want to be a PA. It’s not about being less smart it’s about what I want in life and what I want to do.
Yassss! Do you. You only live one life and it would be unfortunate to be living someone else’s dream.
Omg thanks for putting your story out here! My dad was also a computer engineer and both my parents worked so much, but I also didn't notice because we had dinner together every night. I'm a med student wanting to go into family medicine but have been having doubts about continuing on because I'm scared of missing out on my future kids' lives. I love your videos because it's like a reality check on what it takes. Thanks for being so inspiring 🥺
You can have a career and still have a family! Don’t give up hope
This video helped me so much as a college student deciding between PA and MD. Ive been driving myself crazy and taking advice from dozens of MDs at my job as I am a medical scribe in the ER. I want to be able to live life and possibly have kids one day. As well as travel. I have been listening to so many people, but not myself. Thank you so much for this video I really needed to hear it. It also funny that you given e the idea of being a PA in a surgical setting, I thing I would absolutely love to do that !!!!
You are so passionate about being a family medicine doctor 💕 it’s so inspiring
It is the absolute best!! And I also think it’s also important to have more FM physicians 😬
New family medicine PA and yep, I agree, it is difficult. I wanted to start in family medicine because you learn soooo much. I’m also interested in derm, GI, ER, UC, and Gen surg so we will see what happens! One of my biggest reasons for picking PA was the ability to change specialties as I would be bored in the same forever. But I also love working as a team. At my practice, I see my own patients, seeing max 14 a day currently. I have two physicians, another PA, and NP to ask questions to. And then of course one of the physicians is my SP who signs off on my notes. He will sometimes send me a message on my note with recommendations which honestly I love because it’s how I learn. Like.. maybe do a CXR or do a referral to a certain specialist.
I’m the newest addition to my clinic and everyone else has been working there for 7+ years! I still ask lots of question even being a doctor. The great thing about medicine is that we’re always learning. All our doctors also see patients in 30 minute intervals so I see max 14 a day too.
Excited to see where medicine takes you Lisa. I remember a while back you just graduated! Happy to see you enjoying medicine.
@@drjennale it’s great to finally be a part of it. :) just exhausting 😂
I'm a medstudent in Scandinavia who had a kid during university, and I'm hopefully starting residency this autumn. Planning on going into family medicine in the future so It is so nice to hear someone defend my chosen specialty! You are such an inspiration!
When I tell my co-students that I want to do primary care I always get such weird looks but I guess I don't mind since in the end I'll have an easier time getting a job and also end up with better hours and pay than my wannabe-surgeon friends...
We only have one life to live, it would be unfortunate to be living someone else’s dream ❤️ Family Medicine all the way!! 💪🏽👩🏻⚕️
Lycka till.
This is the most helpful video, I've been deciding between PA and MD/DO for the past few months and your points are stated so transparently and well. I'm also asian and although my parents would never force me to be a doctor, I sometimes that I should go the extra mile just to make them proud. Thank you for the much needed reminders
this video really helped reinforce that PA is the best path for me :-) im so happy you’re so passionate about fam med! it’s def not the specialty for me but i can totally see the perks of it. i wish i had a PCP like you!
There’s lots of good FM doctors out there! Hope you find your perfect fit ❤️ what subspecialty do you think you’ll want to go into?
What makes you prefer PA over NP?
@@Legal.Knievel The training is much more rigorous. More similar to medical school. Also you do not have to work as a nurse first which many people do not care to do.
Love that quote "Drown out the noise".
Which is the hardest part 😅
Hey Jenny, this is such a great video and you are such an amazing representative for family medicine. I don't think I've really seen anyone else speak this passionately about this field and I am so happy that you are so happy with it :D
It is such an amazing specialty! I do hope that these videos inspire more people to consider family medicine.
I wanted to be a PA but my family just laughed and said I'll be an assistant for the rest of my life and do the dirty work a doctor doesn't want to do. Ugh parents and their old fashioned mindset, if you're not a doctor then you're not good enough for them, soo annoying
I had similar cultural up bringing. Then when you’re a doctor - they ask why don’t you make more money 😅 you can’t please everyone so just start living for yourself. It took me a long time to figure that out and still actively trying to unlearn all the toxic and unrealistic expectations.
If you still want to do it then go for it. Age is just a number. Mje your dream come true.
Many PAs practice with high levels of autonomy and independence. I have shadowed several PAs and two of them worked as the only provider in their clinic. I think your family just needs some more education about the career. Not many people understand what PAs actually do.
@@taylorlee2315 that’s not the PA philosophy though right? My understanding is that the PA goal is to work collaboratively as part of a team with physicians rather than on their own.
A few months ago I actually commented on one of your videos asking about this question of PA vs MD/DO. My program for PA school actually combines my bachelors with PA school so I actually am a junior in college but I’m in my first year of PA school. My program has 3 years rather than 2 of PA school. I was really nervous that as a PA I may not be fulfilled by the career and that it might bother me that as a PA I do work technically under a doctor even if it’s a collaboration. I think my opinion will continue to change as I go throughout my program and start working, but what is interesting to me in my experience is that some of the med students I work alongside in the hospital I don’t ever notice myself behind or knowing any less than them. Often actually they come to me to ask how to do hands on skills or for other questions and I think that’s interesting because obviously MD/DO have more schooling and it’s kind of a common thought that because of it they know more. But I really think it depends on the person because there probably are other med students who do know more than me and there are some that might know less. The nice thing about my program is I have 3 years so really I have only one less year. I think the differentiation between me and those med students however will come when they go to residency for something specific. That being said, there are actually residencies for specific sub specialities if i wanted to do that, but it’s not required. I think for me the benefit of PA really is because I’m doing the 5 year program and I’ll be coming out working at 23 and for me when I think about it if I were to go to med school and have gone that route I wouldn’t have actually been practicing medicine till I was 27/28 if not later, but instead now I’ll have 3-5 years of actually working experience and to me as a provider by that point I’ll be more experienced than that 27/28 year old med student with way less student debt and hopefully fulfilled by my job, which I think for a PA is really found by finding a provider that you love and work well with to get the balance between this is in my scope of practice and what I know how to do and these are the things I might have to ask for help on. This has become a lengthy comment, but I just write this experience for any other pre pa or high school students thinking of PA and MD/DO. There are so many different routes and ways to do things and it is such a personal decision that is tough to make. I think I find comfort in knowing that if by the end of my PA school I find I want to purse further education to become a MD/DO I will not have wasted time, but really have gotten ahead by already have a background knowledge of medicine already. Anyways I love this video and your perspectives!!! Very insightful and I aspire to find the balance and love for my career that you show!
This was so nice to watch as an M3 going through the constant critiques on my clerkships. I know it is going to continue into residency but hopefully, it is more constructive that I have experienced thus far.
I am sorry you haven’t receive constructive criticism. It may be scary to give your own feedback - but how else will attending and residents learn to be better teachers!
I’m only 15, so I have some time but I’ve considered MD/DO and PA/ NP. I think I’m leaning more towards PA/NP because of getting to work earlier and the debt of MD/DO is a lot and unfortunately I think the debt will continue to rise. I’d also like to have a family when I’m mature/finically stable enough for one. Thanks for the video!
I agree that the PA route is more standardized.
Thank you for the insight
In my experience, I have found NPs to be more informed and more personable. But objectively, the education is very similar.
Nursing and medical school education is very different
@@Legal.Knievel First of all, PA education is much more rigorous and in-depth than NP, it's not even comparable. They already had thousands of hours of patient care experience before they even applied (usually 2,500-3,000 on average). Then when they get to PA school they gain 2,000 hours of clinical experience compared to 500 for NP.
Second, they study on the medical model as opposed to the nursing model. NPs spend more time being personable while the PA student is learning about to be more informed on medicine. So sure, NPs may be more "personable" but I'd rather my provider skip the bullshit and just tell me straight up what's wrong and how they can fix it.
Additionally, PA school is very competitive. An applicant needs a 3.6 GPA, 2500 hours of patient care experience, volunteering/leadership experience, and recommendation letters from a provider to be considered average. Meanwhile, there are more and more online degree mills popping up for NP.
I need a primary doctor right about now! Sadly I've been going to urgent care for yearly exam, but at least I get myself checked out yearly. I am a Pre-PA student who's currently in a Cardiovascular Technology program. Hoping that working in the Cath lab and IR lab will be a great minor for getting my clinical hours for PA school to become a Cardiothoracic PA! I always wanted to be a first assist in the OR so I figured why not become a PA and make more money than being a regular surgical technologist with a surgical first assist certificat doing the same job in the OR. Even a cardiovascular technologist makes more then a regular surgical technologist because it's a specialty. $40/hr after graduating my minor in May 2024 doesn't sound bad at all while getting my bachelor's degree to apply to PA school doesn't sound bad at all!
#goals. I got into medical school this cycle and I am very motivated by your words. I'm gonna save this video and watch every time I struggle during medical school.
Congratulations on getting into medical school!!
@@drjennale muchas gracias!!!! :D
I don't understand where this myth that family medicine is "easy" comes from. I love your passion for your specialty :)
I love this! I’m 37. Been with my hubs for 22 yrs & no kids, yet. But I feel like when we do, I’d want to work part time or be a full time mom. I know how hard the med field can be & can only imagine the stress that sits on a docs shoulders. Sometimes it’s difficult not to bring that mood home which can hinder precious quality fam time. Thank you for sharing your story! 💪🏼❤️
I think that’s such I huge thing that I didn’t really touch on. I think about my patients all the time. And stressful days at work are very hard on the family. It has been harder in the state of the pandemic.
@@drjennale one day, they’ll truly understand. You do what you have to! Their mom is a warrior. Doctors & nurses are the unsung, quiet heroes of all time.
❤️❤️❤️💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Jenny, you mentioned that you wouldn't choose to become a doctor if you currently had children. Do you think you would regret making that choice to be a PA instead of a doctor for the sake of more family time or would you find peace in not having the ideal role in exchange?
I don't currently have kids, but I know I value spending quality time with my family far more than my career. I am currently am in my late 20s working in healthcare and am thinking about going back to school for PA or MD/DO. I am leaning towards PA because of the lifestyle and ability to work sooner without the sacrifice that is residency. However, I know that I want to know as much as I can when caring for patients (and am worried of the knowledge gap between PA/doc) and I think I'd prefer more the "leader" role, which makes it hard for me to let go of the idea of applying to med school. I go back and forth on these last two sentences, and it truly feels like a debate on whether I am willing to sacrifice my 30s for knowledge (to practice at earliest 38-40) or choose a career that hits only some of my career needs in order to fulfill my lifestyle needs. I love that you emphasize work life balance as a doctor, but when I thinking about raising children while enduring residency in my mid-late thirties - I feel completely out of balance. I don't want to regret doing a shorter route to pursue PA, but I may go that way for the sake of having an easier time starting a family. Would love your insight - thanks!
There have been many people who have grew their families in residency. From the outside looking in - it seems crazy. But we are all stronger than we realize. My friend was 38 when she started her family in residency.
I think if I was going to go back and just did PA then I would have regrets knowing how happy I am with my career now. At the same time, it’s hard to know what type of career I could have had as a PA. Possibly doing urgent care, or derm, or aesthetics. All sounds exciting! The knowledge gap is the only thing that would haunt me. If you want to be a leader and full autonomy - highly recommend MD/DO.
4:50 is essential. Another important point: 8:00 Primary care serves as a patient's advocate navigating the specialties. Nothing beats a good primary care doc. Well, maybe an ED doc. ;p
Half of our ER physicians are FM trained so I won’t argue with you there! 😅
@@drjennale ;) lol
I think that’s interesting that you’re not comfortable with PA as primary providers because that’s what many programs are training their students towards. If you could, what would you like to see from PA programs that will strengthen their clinical skills as primary providers?
Btw I totally understand that this is a loaded question. 😅 but I’m just genuinely curious as a pre-pa student. It also gives a better perspective of how PAs are currently viewed as primary providers from the stand point of different members of the healthcare team and how it can be improved.
It took 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency for me to feel minimally confident practicing independently. There is just too much to know in general practice. I think if PAs had a residency or a requirement of practicing under a physician for x amount a years to ensure they pass core competencies?
But I think the goal of PAs are always to work under a physician rather than independent practice. In these cases, I think you would see lower acuity patients and I personally would not be stimulated enough.
@@drjennale thank you for the thorough response!
@@drjennale they made PA school 5 years, I’ve been applying and I’ve been so confused because so many videos say 2 years but I think they recently changed it?
@@briannahoward3950 PA programs are on average 27 months. Some programs are 36 months but that’s the longest I’ve come across. There is typically 12 months of didactic or textbook learning. Then there is 15 months of rotations in many different specialties.
well as you said you gotta choose what makes you happy.
I love your videos and appreciate the content you've been putting out! I would love it if you could make a video on the scope of your current practice? What type of procedures have you been able to incorporate?
I think its so adorable your mom told you were gonna be a pediatrician. She wasn't too far off tbh.
Jenny I feel like we are so similar with our ambitions and seeing all this schooling and money spent, as an investment in ourselves. You've validated this for me, so thank you!! ❤️ I always look forward to watching your videos and seeing your fam 😃
Love bonding with similar minded people 🥰
Great video Dr. Le!
It would be nice to know about your schedule. As a father of a 1 year old and married I also think about what kind of specialty I want to pursue in the future. I'm a senior in college, Pre-med, but it's always in my mind.
You will always be able to determine your schedule as a physician. You may have to sacrifice pay or location but it’s all negotiable. It’s just hard to a lot of people to work less with a crazy about of school loans you have once you’re done with residency
You are the reason why I want to do family medicine.
Yassss!
Thank you!! I needed to hear this.
Always love your videos♥️ . I learn so much from you! Thumbs up 👍🏻♥️♥️
Thank you 🥰
I love this video. I have a degree but plan on going back and doing STEM classes. I haven't decided if I am going to go PA or MD or DO..
This makes me kind of sad. I am starting PA school soon and it is my goal to go into family medicine.
I think as a PA in primary care, you will be seeing very low acuity. For me personally - it is not enough.
I love watching your videos, I learn so much. By the way, I’m an elementary school teacher, but I enjoy your videos anyway!
Awww thank you 🥰
thanks for sharing!! I wish I would match in Canada/USA in 3 years time :) just like you! establish a good practice in my community.
This was such a great video!! I feel like you were pretty unbiased. I still can’t decide and am so torn. I am the most indecisive person so the feeling of omg idk what to do at all is the worst 😅 Maybe you can help me LOL I just turned 20 I have one year left my bachelors degree but if I go to medical school I may need to take a gap year to prepare for MCAT and submit application on time. The only thing that keeps me from medical school is how long + intense it is. As a PA school is shorter & you get to work sooner. But I’m not sure I want to not call the shots when it comes to what I believe should be done for my patient. Fearful that I will waste my youth studying so much though. So many other factors too. I want a family + balance but I also want to do dermatology so that’s possible. BUT what if dermatology is so competitive and I don’t make it 🧐 LOL the doubts between which way to go on and on.
Hi! What did you end up deciding?
You are a true inspiration ❤❤
Thanks ☺️
I'm currently shadowing family med and peds, primary care is awesome.
Yasss!! Love this! 👩🏻⚕️❤️
Thank you for being so honest 🙏
Thank you for watching Sangay 🥰
You was born to be a family medicine Dr Jenny xx
Yassss!! 💪🏽👩🏻⚕️ how are you doing Annie? Hope you’re feeling better
Thank you for this, I love your videos :)
Thank you so much for this video (I’ve been binge watching all of them so you may see me comment a bunch of times lol). It really helped me. I’m a junior in high school trying to figure out my future. I really value family time and want a good work/life balance. What are some specialties that allow for this (other than surgery)? Thank you!
Shift work like Hospitalist, urgent care, emergency medicine is great for families because you don’t have to bring any work home
Dr Jenny, I wish I can train with you one day! I’m a foreign medical graduate.
would love to see a day in the life as a fam doc!!
Maybe I missed the point in the video but why didn’t you want to be a family medicine PA like especially if you’re part time? Just wondering honestly. I can’t make up my mind. Everyone keeps telling me PA’s have the best lifestyle aka work life balance
thank you so much for this! i wonder how common it is for physicians to work part time right out of residency? you did mention that your workload is still quite high, so do you find that clinics are accommodating to part time docs, or has the job market changed too much?
2/4 of my co-residents went part time. I think my workload is manageable. It’s 18 patient contact hours a week. 30 minutes per patient. So on average I’ll see 36 patients a week. I’m also efficient at writing my notes so I will say I am actually working about 25 hours?
Everyone in my clinic is working part time! It has been great!
Thankssss love the video so informative
Can you touch on the aspect of PA vs MD in the context of complexity of cases? Do PAs have to pass off the patient at a certain point of complexity?
Depending on where you’re working. In the ED, PAs and NPs usually seeing straight forward issues like Ear pain, laceration, etc. Doctors will see patients that require more complex work up like Chest pain, stroke, GI bleed, etc. On the out patient setting, I guess you would just have self monitor as a midlevel. Like ask for help when you don’t know and/or refer. But it’s hard to know what you don’t know.
@@drjennale Thank you so much for clarifying! This is one of my main concerns when choosing a route because I enjoy puzzles and complex problem solving. Your input is so helpful :)
Great video Dr. Le! I loved hearing your thoughts and enthusiasm for family medicine. I'm currently a medical student and am interested in PM&R. Do you have any experience with that field? Best wishes to you!
Yes! Did a PM&R elective in med school - they went on to specialize in pain medicine. 3 of my friends in med school match PM&R. Great option for diversity and procedures!
@@drjennale Thanks for sharing! Yeah I like the pain and procedural aspect of PM&R. Do you to have to oversee PAs/NPs in addition to your own practice? Would love to see a video on this topic.
No I personally don’t oversee any PAs or NPs
@@LJ-cp6qs She has to take on the liability of a PA or NP if they work under her. If I was a doctor I would not want to take on that responsibility.
Not the grandma emoji next to the residency 😂😂😂
I’m already in my feels tonight but this almost made me cry.. 🥲 just you telling everyone to dig deep and drown out the noise.. I’m so overwhelmed with listening to everyones opinions and trying to maintain my “reputation.” I’m just really torn on which path to pursue. Thank you so much for sharing your story💛
Being raised in a very culturally Asian upbringing, “reputation” is everything! And to be honest - I wish I broke more rules, had to courage to explore more, and used more of my youth to make mistakes because that is how we learn and grow and discover ourselves. Good luck no matter your decision ❤️
I looked into PA before and I would definitely not go down that path. One of the reasons is that I live in northern california and RN, PA, and NP all make the same amount. The other reason is my gpa is 3.3 in microbiology without grade replacement for my 1 F. Getting into a PA school with those stats I would need about 3 years minimum to take extra prereqs and have enough clinical experience to make up for it. With that amount of effort in getting in I would definitely try to go DO instead. It just doesn't add up to put in that much effort to become a midlevel to me.
I'm surprised people don't talk about the negatives of going PA instead of MD/DO more often. You often would have to work 1-3 years after graduating undergrad on a lower income similar to residency, but with less stress and hours of course before you can get accepted. The time seems better spent to just go to medical school and have those lower years of salary directly focused on medical training and when you graduate you have a greater salary to work part time + full autonomy for the rest of your career compared to PA which you would need to work full time for the same salary.
Loved this!
Hey Jenny, I was recently accepted into med school this past December and I am very interested in family medicine. As I’m talking to my fellow incoming ms1s many of them say there’s no point in becoming a family med physician nowadays due to the number of nps and pas who practically run primary care. I love family med, but I’m curious if you think it’s still worth pursuing when pas and nps seem to be at the forefront of the field? Is there still a need for family medicine physicians as there once was?
There is always a need for a family medicine physician. The training for PA and NP is not enough to provided comprehensive care. I personally had multiple job offers! Study of n=1 😅 just keep an open mind. You don’t truly have to decide until 3rd year
@@drjennale thanks!! I keep that in mind
I think you have the best of intentions considering how the egos of most people who go onto medicine can get in the way but.. I will say I don’t think it’s fair to say for PA don’t learn enough to provide “comprehensive care” data and studies show otherwise that they are able to show just as competent care their medical counterparts especially being trained in the medical model AND to be pcps. Idk y it just always seems like if you go to medical school people have to throw shade towards a profession that maybe didn’t go as long as them. Like it’s logical to think if you had more schooling you’d know more (or should) but people who go to PA CHOSE it for a reason. It’s like me just saying I could easily throw shade towards Primary care docs in comparison to other more specialized docs.. but what’s the point. I wish this wasn’t a thing in medicine but it is. It’s a team effort for a reason everyone should just play their role and don’t mind the glit and glamour
@@brookiered7207 agreed, people also don't realize that PAs and NPs often enter their programs with much more clinical experience than med students. Just from working as an MA for 1 year, I was exposed to medical conditions that my friend who is an M3 has never even heard of before... I don't think competency should solely be defined by the number of years in school.
@@itsjaymee YES speak queen haha. But no seriously this is how I compare it. I feel like that comment is analogous to someone saying well, since MDs didn't go to pharmacy school they shouldn't or are NOT competent enough to provide comprehensive pharmacological care then right? Same thing! But hey people believe what they want.
Great recommendations!
Thanks! 😁
Thank you for your honesty!! I’m 29 single with no kids 👩🏽 & I really value family (close to my parents & siblings) ! I did a DIY post-bacc & currently applying for med school! I fear I may have gotten too old though & was wondering what age is too old ? Will I be turned down for my age? I was hoping to get into med school at age 27 as a nontrad but my school chem dept was awful due to a very unprofessional professor (my university is dealing with a racist scandal rn) so I took 2 semester off from gen chem but continued with the other prerequisites
There is no limit for med school! My co-resident would be done with residency in her early 50’s because medicine is her second career! It never too late 💪🏽👩🏻⚕️ sorry to hear our your professor. We in medicine understand that life happens. We look more at the trajectory than a single point in time.
what school ?
@@drjennale Thank you so much! That is really inspiring and gives me the motivation to keep moving forward! I'm currently studying for my MCAT!👩🏽⚕️🙌🏽
Good luck!! Studies show - people who do more practice test questions get higher scores! You got this! 💪🏽👩🏻⚕️
@@drjennale Thank you so much💗💗!! I will definitely do that!! I realized I need to move faster with the content review lol! thanks a lot Dr. Le!
Great video! Very informative
Thanks Evelyn!
I love this!
Thanks Kay!
Please make a video about the doctor in the court video meeting..while operation on a patient.
Haven’t seen this. Can you share the link?
@@drjennale sure I will copy the ink
@@drjennale you can look at this channel name legal eagle. He made a short video about it. He is a lawyer and he give a lawyer view on it. But we need a doctor view on this one.
This was a great video!
Thanks! 🥰
You are in my area.
and now you are the reason why I want to do derm (lol)
😂 derm is also awesome! I think I had a little ADD so I like to jump around and do a little of everything
@@drjennale omg thanks for replying to my comment! (Legit fan girling hard right now) . I’m starting med school this summer. As I embark on this journey, I hope I can narrow the areas where my strengths will most suit my future patients ❤️.
❤️
🙌🙌
its 2 1/2 to 3 years for PA school haha !
Do you have an email we can contact you at?
Working P/T, you're going to be 40 years old before you pay your student loans off!
How much do you think I make as a part time physician?
Needed this! Xxxx
im an OMS-1, just married, and 25 years old. by the time i graduate ill be 29 and i will want to have babies if we dont accidentally have one before!! lol. i am interested in family medicine, and even think about doing a shared/part time residency to make time for family, although i dont know the details about it at all or how realistic it is. could you share what you know about shared/part time residencies for FM? :)
I haven’t heard of any shared part time residencies! I have heard of residents taking some months off - I know a Peds resident that took 6 months off. And then came back and finished residency.
For sure there are job share part time positions as an attending!
@@drjennale i have only heard of shared part time residencies on pages like studentdoctor.net lol so maybe they’re pretty rare. that’s nice to know it may be possible to take some time off if needed though. thanks for responding :)
S
🖐️💋💘💘💘
I don’t understand the purpose of this post.
There is still much misogyny in medicine and little support for moms navigating medical training. This is my experience as someone who grew her family while in med school and residency. Maybe as someone who does not have a uterus, your considerations of why or why not you would pursue medicine would be different - and that is totally fine.