What to do when your family really wants you to be (or keep being) a doctor
During a recent webinar, I connected with a doctor who shared his journey from Singapore to India. As I often notice with the experiences of fellow doctors from other parts of the world, his story from a different culture deeply resonated with my own experiences in Germany, revealing yet another common thread that seems runs through many doctors’ lives, irrespective of their cultural background.
In medicine, there’s a universal narrative that transcends geographical borders. Often, I hear statements like “I’m Asian, so I had to become a doctor,” or “Coming from an Indian family, medicine was the only choice.” However, my impression is this sentiment is not exclusive to any one culture. As a German, I’ve encountered similar pressures. This widespread notion suggests that the decision to pursue a medical career is deeply entangled with familial and cultural expectations, painting a picture that’s familiar in many households around the world.
In my journey, stepping off the traditional medical path wasn’t about defiance. It was a gradually unfolding, and less traveled, route towards entrepreneurship. This shift wasn’t a dramatic departure but a conscious choice to explore the versatility of my medical training in new and uncharted ways.
The conversation with the doctor colleague from the webinar highlighted a shared dilemma many of us face: the pressure to conform to a certain professional archetype, often driven by family expectations rather than personal aspirations. He spoke of leveraging his medical background in innovative ways, stepping beyond the conventional role of a clinician. His experience was a vivid reminder that our medical skills are adaptable and can be applied in diverse contexts.
This is the essence of our shared experience as doctors — recognizing that the expectations to follow a certain path in our career are, more often than not, a reflection of family dynamics rather than cultural mandates. It’s about understanding that while our backgrounds may influence us, they don’t have to define our professional choices.
In this dialogue, the notion emerged that our professional journey in medicine isn’t just about the skills we acquire but also about the courage to use those skills in ways that align with our personal goals. It’s about seeing beyond the conventional image of a doctor and embracing the myriad possibilities that our training offers.
So, to my fellow doctors contemplating a change, remember: the decision to step away from a traditional clinical role is not a question of cultural identity but a personal choice. It’s about navigating the expectations of those closest to us and finding a path that resonates with our individual aspirations.
Our paths in medicine are as diverse as our backgrounds. They should not be predetermined by our cultural heritage but shaped by our personal decisions and family dynamics. Whether it’s venturing into entrepreneurship, exploring new specialties, or engaging in health innovation, the journey is yours to define. Embrace the breadth of your medical training and talents, and chart a course that fulfills not just the expectations of others, but first and foremost your own aspirations and dreams.
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All the Best,
Sven
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