Expert: Dr. Kevin D. Kanz - 10/25/2011

Question
Hello.

I am currently in high school in secondary 4. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE SCIENCE and i have been fascinated with it my whole life. I am 100% sure that I want to pursue a career in science that pays well. I really want to become a gastroenterologist because the human digestive system is my favorite field in science. I just wanted to know, is a doctor a good job? People tell me that most doctors either end up divorced or without any family time, working CRAZY HOURS and leading a miserable life with a huge paycheck.

Is this true? If so, which type of doctor works normal hours (ex: 8:00am - 7ish pm), weekends off, has a pay of over 100k and can have a family at the same time? I would really like to know because i really adore science and HAVE to have a career in this path, but if im gonna be living a miserable life, i might aswell keep the half a million dollars i need for med school. Can you recommend other careers in science that have good pay and good hours? (ex: vet, private practice doctor, phd, etc.)

I am only in high school and looking for a great career in science, but these things scare me!

* Also, I do not want to become a doctor for the salary only. I am PASSIONATE about science and the human body and I really love the idea of applying my intelligence to help people. But during my life I would like to have a wife and kids and have time to spend with them and have fun with them, which is much more important than a 320 000$+ salary. So I would like to know if someone can lead a regular life and start a family while being an internist in a specialty field.

Thank you so much for your expert advice,
John

Answer
Dear John,
These are wise questions from such a young man.  The answers are not simple, but there is a simple answer.  Any career in science or health care is going to be demanding.  Yes, any medical career will require dedication and sacrifice.  Most medical careers are not 9-5 with week-ends off. The simple fact is that the training it's self is more demanding and more difficult in order to prepare you for the seriousness of your work.  Some clinical programs are less restraining by definition, but any profession that requires acute or critical care will place a strain on your leisure time.  Regardless, I would consider putting off marriage or family until you have completed school and training, and that may take many years.  Some medical specialties like pathology and radiology afford you less patient interface, but the training is still rather demanding.  Non-traditional medical / clinical fields like chiropractic, optometry, psychology and even podiatry can afford you regular office hours and week-ends off, but the training and time investment may be just as severe. Academic careers with PhD training may also afford you this freedom.  I would recommend that you talk to your high school counselor or even a local college career counselor, to see more specifically what these demands may be in all the areas of cost, time and academic preparation. With your passion for science, don't be discouraged.  Passion is needed for any science or health career with a meaningful potential for reward.  Hope this helps...
Dr.K