Why I Quit My Career As A Physician...For Something Better

In this video I explain my experience in medical school, why I decided not to pursue a residency position, the flaws with the medical system, and what I am doing instead. This was a tough decision, but I am much happier in the long run.

[rossfleischman]

I'm glad this guy figured out now that a life of service was not for him. That said, 20 plus years into a career as an emergency medicine physician, I find my work more and more exciting and rewarding by the day. Everyday I get to work with an amazing group of nurses, medical students, and residents as we save the lives of the sickest and poorest people of Los Angeles County. Last night I made some people's lives better. Now I'm about to go take my dogs for a run on the beach. My wife is an adult hematology oncology MD PhD and also can't imagine anything more rewarding to do with our lives.

[braydenriding]

The transparency you’re giving is huge! Not a lot of people want to admit how mentally and emotionally draining it is feeling stuck on a path you don’t fit on. Congrats on gaining your courage, you’re going to do amazing things!

[AfroMedic]

I’m in PA school, I can confirm this, the study of medicine is very fascinating but working is a whole different game.

[royamehr]

For us immigrant parent is extremely hard to understand and accept when our children quite medicine, we came here for better life and being a Dr. in our country is ultimate luxury. But eventually, with time and watching so many kids quitting medical school and listening to them on you tube help us understand our kids. Once in a while we hope our kids would not quite but again with time and seeing our kids successful in their life we will be able to put that behind and continue our relationship with our kids. Good luck to all you young generation in any path you decide in life!🙏

[nemaidriss]

Wow! Your mindset is clear. You are right you live for yourself first.

[sebisonline]

Wow. I wish I saw this video 3 years ago when I decided not to pursue residency!
I spent 8 years of college and medical school working towards a life that turned out not at all what I expected. I put all of my curiosities, desires, and dreams on the side for a career in a system that dulls curiosity, postpones desires, and crushes dreams.
Honestly your explanation and experience is spot on with what I went through. I also liked the first 2 years so much better, I started with OB/GYN as well and it really shocked me how much I hated the reality of clinical medicine. The pandemic hit right after that and we had to still continue our clerkships despite all the chaos (I was going to school in NYC).
I really struggled to make the jump away from applying for residency because I just didn't know what else to do careerwise. What actually helped was to think of it in two parts 1) choosing not to continue medicine and 2) choosing what I would do instead. The decision to quit and find something else that can also pay off your massive debt is daunting and it kept scaring me away from any action. As soon as I made the decision not to apply to residency I felt a lot happier. I dedicated the last year of med school on gaining new skills and bettering my mental health. I ended up getting really into art and design and now thats what I spend most of my time doing! I landed a job working for an sculptor/furniture designer after med school and these last two years have been some of the most rewarding years of my life.
I remember talking to many people for advice and never hearing from anyone who actually quit. I wish there were more people to talk to back when I was in med school who could tell me that everything would be okay and it is possible to off-ramp from this dreadful career.

[yannidimoulis]

Great video, Christian! Thank you for your candor and openness. It’s never easy to accept a calling to a nonlinear career path, and gaslight yourself into continuing on a path you’re miserable in. I’m proud of you for jumping in and trusting yourself like you are 🎉

[JasonKusi-cs]

good luck with your business man and you did the right thing for you

[FNPUniversity]

I appreciate your transparency here and how therapy is a powerful tool! I always encourage our students to be open and to seek help when needed! Keep up the entrepreneurship advocacy 🎉

[johnydavilma]

PGY-3 Internal Med resident here. Medicine is tough. The most important thing is that you’re happy with your choice. 💪

[charlessorrento]

Great video Christian! Finding out what makes you happy in life is very important. I learned a long time ago that I didn't have the drive to make it through medical school to become a surgeon. MBA school was 2 more years whereas medical school, orthopedic residency and fellowship was 10!!

Best wishes and congratulations on the upcoming wedding!

[zdawg]

I’m hopeful that unionizing of physicians can help change some of these problems! We need to show our solidarity with the other hospital staff and recognize we are labor. Hopefully we can get the power back in the healthcare providers hands and out of hospital administrators and insurance companies who frankly only care about the bottom line.

I know there’s a lot of work to do but the system isn’t working for anyone right now, doctors or patients, and insurance companies are recording record profits.

[patriotcine]

I totally understand you. You make the right decision. Medicine is not worth it for the amount of time, energy and effort unless you really love it or for the few lucky ones who get into a few lifestyle specialties

[MaxBadstibner]

Seems like you never actually wanted to be a doctor, but the title of MD. That would explain why you use the “Doctor Reacts” approach in many of your videos, despite not having practiced beyond medical school. I don’t blame you. Working alongside MDs, I wouldn’t want to do it either.

[ritaanderson]

Thank you so much for sharing!! As an NP I can totally relate

[Drmikekuna]

Thank you for your video! Best of luck, your drive will make you successful. I always thought that I would be a university professor, but grad school showed me that was not the path for me. I applied to and went to med school and many of the issues you noted I agree with. Being a biochemist, I thought that I would go into an internal med sub-specialty. However, I fell in love with psychiatry and I became a psychiatrist. That was pretty interesting as I had never had a psych course as an undergraduate. It was the right decision for me. I'm now retired and enjoyed my career, but I had a lot of autonomy, something that now seems to be missing in medicine which has gone corporate. Most of us know in our guts what feels wrong and what feels right. One of my kids had the grades for med school but went the PA route. Why? She wants to help others, but she also wants a life. I can't say that I blame her.

[offdaystv]

Great video! I’ve followed you on IG for a while now and you produce some awesome content. This video is inspiring cause I feel the same way with my current job. I know it’s not my forever job so I’m grinding to get my passion off the ground. Thanks for the video

[ryanwilliams]

I had a horrible immigrant parent childhood filled with generational trauma. I became a nurse in my early 30s to save myself. I really enjoyed the psychology and physiology knowledge that I was able to apply to my life. I took a strong interest in fitness, health literacy, prevention... When it came down to the nitty griddy of certain patient populations and the US health care system, I was really discouraged. It took patients thanking me for what I do and an acknowledgment that clinicians are the only people holding the system together to find a bittersweet love in what I do. I'm trying an Army CRNA route now; specific patient population, physical fitness, service with like-minded people, and hopefully some good experiences. I know I can live outside of the nursing and the military, but this is my last honest attempt at healthcare; otherwise, I'm out too. I have previous education and experience in other fields and have no problem trying something new. Good luck to you.

[TorahDriven]

I followed you a while back and glad I checked back in. (Wondered how stayed so jacked during rotations ha!) US IMG and not able to apply to match until 25'--- in the meantime going to explore $ options outside of medicine... And I am not going to lie--- the alternatives to another 4-5 yrs of residency and dawg labor are pretty interesting to say the least.... Good for you for making the decision.

[dr.mirat]

I'm quitting too.. i know what you're talking about buddy and good luck ❤