#DoNowEbola Thoughts

The Ebola outbreak has left the international community in a dire situation; as this outbreak has been the largest to date, the potential damage the virus can do is large and cannot be foretold. Many people, including myself, feel mixed about the situation at hand. The U.S. is bringing Ebola infected peoples from Africa for treatment, and vice versa with doctors. If Ebola got into the U.S. it would be catastrophic; not that it isn’t a big problem for multiple parts of Africa already.

–

But in order to fully help Africa and the world around us, more countries aside from the U.S. need to be willing to help. From my knowledge it seems that America is the only country to step forward and help treat people affected with the Ebola virus. If doctors and nurses and the like manage to contain the Ebola outbreak, cure people with the antidote being brought into fruition, it would strengthen us as a species and as a global community. Many people do not get adequate health care already; maybe this could be the next step into providing more services for those in need world-wide.

A Common (but interesting and fulfilling!) Medical Path that Rains Upon the Umbrella of ‘Sports Medicine’…

Not surprisingly, a regular medical practitioner falls under the broad category of ‘sports medicine.’ The (common) doctor examines patients, runs diagnostic tests, treats and helps people with diseases or injury, and other practices that are all meant to benefit someone in need. Most occupations that fall under the ‘sports medicine’ category tend to be very specific, and one who specializes in said category can usually only help with one or a few things. However, a common doctor can help with nearly anything. From surgery to a simple cold diagnosis, a doctor has something to offer for everyone and anyone in need.
To pursue the career of a doctor takes an awful long time. Many young students interested in becoming a doctor have a 10 year long plan ahead of them, if not more, according to the specific type of doctor one might want to become.

Students on their way to becoming a doctor must go into pre-med, earn their bachelor’s degree, take the MCAT, get a medical degree, complete a residency, obtain a license and then – optionally – become certified. To get all of these things takes many months of studying, hence the 10 year long or more plan. Depending on the level and specialty of doctor, certain parts of training may take longer than other specialties. For example, a neurosurgeon might have a residency lasting 7 years, whilst someone who specializes in pediatrics might have a residency of 4. The average doctor is also not very youthful; many doctors just starting out tend to be in their late 30’s at the earliest, or early 40’s. Although different types of doctors may have different requirements to fulfill, all in all, their value is priceless. They all do their best to help all that they can.