My balanced perspective for prospective applicants
This is a question I get asked more and more: “Would you recommend medicine as a career today?”
It’s a fair question. Medicine has changed enormously over the last few decades, financially, structurally, and culturally.
The government contribution to medical education has decreased significantly, tuition fees are high, and some students are graduating with debts in excess of £100,000.
To add to that, we now face the unusual situation of medical graduates not automatically getting jobs or training posts, and career progression is slower and more competitive than ever.
So let me share my view, as honestly as I can, on whether medicine is still worth pursuing.
The Reality of Debt and Funding
When I trained, funding looked very different. Tuition fees were minimal, bursaries were more available, and graduating debt-free was common. Today’s students face a different financial reality:
- High tuition fees (over £9,000 per year for five or six years)
- Living costs that often require additional loans
- Interest rates that inflate the final amount owed
Graduating with debt above £100,000 is no longer rare, and it can take many years to repay.
That said, not everyone will feel this burden equally. If you have financial support from family, scholarships, or savings, the risk is significantly lower, and this makes the decision easier.
The Career Landscape: Opportunities and Pressures
Medicine is no longer the guaranteed career path it once was.
- Training posts are competitive: you may not get your first-choice specialty or even your preferred location.
- Career progression can be slow, often taking a decade or more before reaching senior roles like consultant or GP partner.
- Burnout and workforce pressures are real, with some colleagues leaving the NHS, moving abroad, or stepping into non-clinical roles.
On the other hand, medicine still provides relatively steady employment compared to many other fields.
Doctors remain in demand, and for those who are willing to be flexible, in location, specialty, or work pattern; there are usually opportunities to be found.
Why I Still Value Medicine
Medicine can potentially offer a wide range of roles and settings, from clinical practice to research, education, and public health, and the ability to work internationally.
My Honest View: Think Carefully, But Don’t Be Afraid
So, is medicine “worth it”?
It depends on your motivation.
If you are pursuing medicine mainly for job security or financial return, you may find the current training environment frustrating and the debt burdensome.
If, however, you are motivated by interest in science, problem-solving, and patient care, and are realistic about the commitment, medicine can still provide a satisfying and varied career.
Final Thoughts
Medicine today comes with significant financial and personal investment, and the path to senior roles is longer and less predictable than in the past.
The job remains meaningful but is also demanding and sometimes constrained by systemic pressures.
My advice is to gather as much information as you can before deciding: speak with doctors at different stages, shadow in hospitals, and understand the realities of training and work-life balance.
Medicine can still be a good choice for the right person, but it is not automatically the best choice for everyone.
Making an informed decision is key to avoiding disappointment and ensuring that the commitment you take on aligns with your values and long-term goals.
