There are many other alternative careers you might want to consider in the medical profession asides bachelors of medicine degree owing to the fact that medicine is getting very competitive to study these days.
To be considered for a position into most bachelors of medicine program you would need to either be a top-performing student with good results or meet the cut off requirement set by the school you are looking to study in.
I understand that sometimes not getting the course of your dreams might be quite sad and mentally draining, but you should always have alternatives which could be similar to the course you initially planned to study.
There are many options within the medical field you can apply to for an opportunity to contribute to the state of well being of individuals if that is your dream, it doesn’t have to end in you wasting years staying at home when you can be great at other courses which provide the same satisfaction as medicine.
Medical Professions that are Great Alternatives to Medicine
I would be sharing some great alternatives which you can consider to start a career in the list provided below;
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy makes use of ionizing radiation in the management of certain diseases such as cancer which is a global burden. People who work as radiotherapists usually have a background in medical physics or radiology either at postgraduate or undergraduate level coupled with a knowledge of the best safety practises when working with equipment emitting rays for treatment purposes.
Dentistry
This is another popular field people who do not get to study medicine flock to because of the prestige attached to this field. Dentists are physicians who specialize in the care, diagnosis or treatment of the teeth and oral cavity.
To allowed practise as a dentist, you must attend medical school, pass qualifying examinations and obtain a licence for practice by the medical and dental council in the region you are looking to work in.
Emergency Medical Care
Popularly known as paramedics, they are the first point of contact in the case of an emergency. Most of their job is to ensure the stabilization of patients health while awaiting professional medical help. Training to become a paramedic requires you enrolling in for a four-year emergency medical care degree where you would be thought the basics of health care and first aid treatment in the case of an emergency.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists assess, advise and treat patients who are suffering from physical illness or injury. They treat a variety of conditions including spinal and joint problems, muscle strains and respiratory difficulties, as well as helping patients recover from operations, accidents and chronic conditions such as strokes. The duration for a bachelors degree in physiotherapy is usually four years with the need to undergo years of clinical training both during and after their program, then the can sit for qualifying examinations and register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) if successful.
Medical Microbiology
Medical microbiologists work in laboratories both within hospitals and research institutions to help with analysis of biological specimens to aid treatment of patients. A degree in microbiology with a specialization in medical microbiology is always required while a masters degree specializing in any area within medical microbiology make you an expert in that area.
Nursing
Nurses work alongside doctors inpatient rehabilitation and healthcare. In fact they are responsible for carrying out instructions given by the doctor when patients are still admitted to the hospital. There are many routes to becoming a nurse one of which is either attending a university, school of midwifery or school of nursing for either a bachelors degree or diploma in nursing.
Optometry
Optometrists specialize in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Some of their duties include prescribing and fitting glasses, contact lenses, treating normal eye conditions and referring severe cases to opticians in specialist hospitals. A degree in optometry can be earned in 3-4 in accredited universities. However you would need a licence from the optometry council in your country to be considered eligible for practice in the country.
Pharmacology
Pharmacologists study the underlying mechanisms of how drugs interact with the tissues, cells, and organs in your body. They work in a team of medical professionals to investigate and study the possible effects of certain drugs administered to patients or effects of certain chemical compounds found in the environment.
You can become a pharmacologist by either studying pharmacology at bachelors or masters degree level with this degree you would be able to work in many research laboratories of hospitals, universities and pharmaceutical organisations in the country.
The fact that these courses are an alternative to medicine does not mean you wont dedicate time and effort into mastering the techniques applicable to this field. To increase your earning potential should continue to develop yourself and make sure you get relevant certifications needed.
