Before you think of PhD, MD (Doctorate of Medicine) or MD/PhD

We are always happy to embark on such journeys without knowing the implications. Many people go in for the sake of the titles or even "money" without thinking about the major sacrifices one has to make. It's not rosy as most will think but rather a brain-wrecking moments that can demoralize you for the rest of your life depending on how you handle it.

Do not enroll if you are not ready. If you are not ready to sacrifice friends, enjoyments, family, sleep and relationships then please do not enroll. This is NOT a money making venture at all. Talk to people, build your interest, read more about what you want to do and ask questions. This training period will always make you feel stupid and worthless. You will definitely have some form of mind/head damage by the time you complete. Just imagine you are being asked to solve a problem that NO ONE in this world has an answer to? Not even your Professor.

I have heard and seen people commit suicide, drop-out after a couple of years, lose relationships and friends. After this, you have to fight to stay relevant. You have to compete for grants and places in top journals. If you are unable to do so, your PhD, MD, or MD/PhD becomes a waste. Yeah, I mean waste. The frustrations before, during and after this period are so REAL. At this point, you forget your titles and even the fact that you are a DOCTOR.

Regardless, its fun to be part of this community. The sense of knowing you are an embodiment of knowledge is great. The fact that your knowledge brings breakthroughs is fulfilling. It's not about the titles or money, It's about productive stupidity to save humanity.

Meshach Asare-Werehene writes.