My OperaI do think
Saturday, July 31, 2010 1:14:43 PM
I am a family physician, and like my fellow docs, had to take all of the prerequisite science courses prior to med school. I also opted to attend a liberal arts college, and had plenty of humanities courses. Between the two, things were a little tight...but I got everything done. I am very glad that I had to take those difficult science classes, as well as the liberal arts classes. I think they made me a well-rounded doctor.
I do think that some schools overemphasize their "pre-med" major. As long as one completes his/her basic science requirements, med school is within reach. I happened to be a biology major, but I had medical school classmates who majored in music, engineering, history, political science, English, French, Spanish, womens' studies, and Russian studies. They all completed their basic science requirements, and they are all well-rounded, knowledgeable physicians.
My wife is a college biology professor, and she constantly hears from students who feel that their 3-hour lab is "too long" and a "waste of time"...yet they still want to be doctors. If you can't sit through a three hour lab, how can you expect to slog through hours of anatomy and physiology, or a 6+ hour surgery as a student or resident?
The excuse that these students will likely choose a primary care career and therefore don't "need" the basic science courses is ludicrous. Do I "need" minority grants for physics or organic chemistry on a daily, or even yearly basis? No. However, these courses prepare a student for the level of knowledge and disciplined study that is required to be a successful med student.
It's not exactly easy, and if we want good doctors, it shouldn't be.
I do think that some schools overemphasize their "pre-med" major. As long as one completes his/her basic science requirements, med school is within reach. I happened to be a biology major, but I had medical school classmates who majored in music, engineering, history, political science, English, French, Spanish, womens' studies, and Russian studies. They all completed their basic science requirements, and they are all well-rounded, knowledgeable physicians.
My wife is a college biology professor, and she constantly hears from students who feel that their 3-hour lab is "too long" and a "waste of time"...yet they still want to be doctors. If you can't sit through a three hour lab, how can you expect to slog through hours of anatomy and physiology, or a 6+ hour surgery as a student or resident?
The excuse that these students will likely choose a primary care career and therefore don't "need" the basic science courses is ludicrous. Do I "need" minority grants for physics or organic chemistry on a daily, or even yearly basis? No. However, these courses prepare a student for the level of knowledge and disciplined study that is required to be a successful med student.
It's not exactly easy, and if we want good doctors, it shouldn't be.
