What happens to MDs who, within the first few years after getting out
of med school, realize they don't like seeing patients (or performing
surgery)? Do they end up in low paying jobs, unrelated to medicine,
and spend the next 20 years working to pay off their loans from med
school? Or can they usually use their education to get into an
alternate line of work that pays well enough to take care of their
debts?

Hi, thanks for your question.

Even in the event that a certified MD decides to stop seeing patients,
they are likely to still be involved in the medical profession.
Medical schools require a broad study of the subject matter,
especially in the first two years, therefore, the transition from
direct medical practice (seeing patients) to careers in medical
research, pharmacology, biotechnology etc. Some former physicians
decide to enter academia and teach biology, etc.

"But physicians also do many other things. Physician researchers are
at work today developing exciting new treatments for cancer, genetic
disorders, and infectious diseases like AIDS. Academic physicians
share their skills and wisdom by teaching medical students and
residents. Others work with health maintenance organizations,
pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, health
insurance companies, or in corporations directing health and safety
programs. People with medical skills are in demand everywhere."
http://www.aamc.org/students/considering/careers.htm#SEC2

So there are alternatives to the more common "generalist" or primary
care.



"If you want to be a generalist physician/family
physician/primary-care physician you need to spend 2-3 years after
medical school in an "apprenticeship"which is known as residency. If
you want to specialize in some area of medicine, for example if you
want to be a surgeon, urologist, cardiologist or oncologist, your
residency will be longer, anywhere from 3-8 years depending on the
medical specialty you choose to pursue."
"The Ins and Outs of Medical Profession"
http://gradschool.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fbestpremed.hypermart.net%2FMDprof.htm

Therefore, if a medical school grad has doubt about their desire to
treat patients directly, they should perhaps use their medical
expertise in another way, as residency will require a strong
dedication.


Related and Cited Links

Association of American Medical Colleges
http://www.aamc.org/students/considering/start.htm

Human Medicine Career Center at Berkely
http://gradschool.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fcareer.berkeley.edu%2FHealth%2FhealthMedicine.stm

MCAT homepage
http://gradschool.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fcareer.berkeley.edu%2FHealth%2FhealthMedicine.stm

Career Mail at Berkely
http://gradschool.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fcareer.berkeley.edu%2FHealth%2FhealthMedicine.stm

Google Search Terms Used
"medical school" and career
"medical school faq"
"careers in medicine" 

I hope this helps, good luck!

Anthony (adilorenga)