The Premedical-Medical Program Prepares the MD Well and Faster, but Motivation Remains Key

I graduated from the Penn State University/Thomas Jefferson University premedical-medical program (i.e., their accelerated BS-MD program) in 2004, as a 6-year programmer (colloquially known as a Prog). I matched at Jefferson for my emergency medicine residency, serving as chief resident in my senior year. July 2020 will mark the start of my fourteenth year as a Jefferson attending physician. I read the recent Academic Medicine article by Gonnella and colleagues with great interest. Since 2004, I have often thought of my time as a Prog. One of the most meaningful experiences of my life, the program substantially impacted my formative years. I have found that the reduction of school debt is absolutely true (and much appreciated). Additionally, for me, the program’s attractive conditional acceptance to medical school ultimately superseded an option to study engineering at a respected university elsewhere. That said, the path was not easy. I faced great criticism before I was even accepted to the program. “I don’t believe you really want to be a doctor. You’re doing this because your parents want you to.” My interviewer’s words of doubt about my motivation remain seared in my memory. The program is not right for everyone. The Gonnella and colleagues article identifies a Prog’s decreased global satisfaction with medical school (particularly, the second year). My second year was the emotional nadir of my professional life. I was 21 years old, strained by the ...
Source: Academic Medicine Blog - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Tags: Featured Guest Perspective accelerated program BS/MD program medical school Source Type: blogs