Some doctors were forced by their parents to study medicine even when they can’t stand the sight of blood. Others graduate from med school with a job while a significant number are underemployed. For those employed, work stress and burnout are prevalent. Whatever the circumstance, there are alternative careers for doctors apart from conventional medical careers.
These jobs are not only in the health domain but in other areas such as research, education, and the media.
Below are a few roles open to graduates of medicine.
Medical Research
The medical research profession is a dynamic one that is continuously evolving. They work by performing experiments and analysing outcomes to understand more about the human body and possible therapies. The areas of practice include the pharmaceutical industry, schools, hospital labs, research institutes or medical research charities.
Medical Education
Medical education could vary from assisting trainee medical students or doctors to teaching the public, be it in your home country or abroad. This could be the perfect alternative for you if you wish to make an impact on enlightening a large number of people.
Public Health
Public health entails protecting and promoting the health of society. Options include the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases or environmental health hazards or working on strategies to improve efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of health service.
Health Journalism
Journalism is a massive competitive field, but those with scientific training and experience have the edge over the vast majority of journalists who come mostly from other backgrounds. Some medics undertake this as an addition, rather than an alternative to their clinical work. It is relevant to attain extra qualifications (albeit on a short training course) or experience to commence a successful medical journalism career.
Forensic Pathology
Forensic pathologists are trained to carry out medical examinations on the dead.
Medical Photography
A job that will enable you to correlate both your inventiveness and medical skills. Medical photographers utilize photography as well as video for both patient care as well as general communication and marketing for health journals.
Sports and Exercise Medicine
Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) is a recently recognised medical speciality. It deals with medical conditions and trauma in athletes.
Volunteer Work
Medicine is deemed crucial in enhancing the health of people living in disadvantaged areas or developing countries. There are myriad overseas openings in voluntary work accessible for eligible doctors.
Medical Sales Representative
This role involves working as the midpoint tween healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry.
Medical Law
Medicolegal Advisors are dependable for organizing litigations in an area of their expertise. They may often be required to attend court trials, as well as hold lectures, run workshops and write articles. Short training in law especially in medical jurisprudence and negligence is important for a role in this profession.
Occupational Health
The role involves providing health guidance and training to organisations and individuals to avoid injuries and guarantee high principles of health and safety at work. They also help those injured in the workplace to return to work early.
Medical Investment Analyst
Investment banks assist firms to achieve funds and offer advice on mergers, acquisitions and equity research. As a healthcare equity research analyst, you could use your medical knowledge to advise the bank on areas of the health industry such as biotech companies and hospitals.