Medicine

Kevin98

Hi, I would like some help. I am a 6th year student and I cant make up my mind about becoming a paramedic or becoming a doctor, if I do become a doctor I would like to be a GP with an interest in pre-hospital care. Would like to know if it is possible for a GP to he involved in pre-hospital care and how I can go about it. Also if anyone here can give me an honest opinion on what it is like to be a doctor here in ireland it would be very much appreciated
Thank you

laserlad2010

I presume by prehospital care you mean in emergencies. GP technically operate as prehospital care as they see lots of people who go on to attend hospital.

Some rural GPs are trained to administer pre-hospital care - in Donegal they can give clot busting drugs to people with heart attacks as they wait for ambulances.

However, they also have a day job which is being a GP. If you want to do prehospital care then be a paramedic/advanced paramedic. Some doctors get involved in organising and promoting prehospital care but these guys are 20+ years in the game and are experienced.

Being a doctor....

Pros:
You will sometimes cure people
You will have a pension (if you work in hospitals)
You will have a regular wage
Your wage is a bit more than most people get
You'll challenge your brain and processing skills
You'll develop people skills
You will occasionally be thanked

Cons:
You will sometimes fail
You will sometimes not cure people
You will feel you are not adequately paid in relation to the pressure and risks of the job
You will be blamed for the system which is not your fault
You will often be abused verbally and occasionally physically

There are easier ways to make money. There are easier ways to help people.