• Question: What was the deciding factor which led you to become a clinical scientist rather than a hospital doctor? Or did you always have a preference for the research side of health?

    Asked by anon-254948 to Laura, Faith on 21 May 2020.
    • Photo: Faith Davies

      Faith Davies answered on 21 May 2020:

      Hi Mahek, I’m not a clinical scientist I’m afraid, just a normal scientist. 😉 So I have a PhD, but no medical degree. I did consider becoming a medical doctor but decided it looked like such a massive commitment that only people that REALLY want to do it should try. So instead of treating disease I try and research disease mechanisms.

    • Photo: Laura Durrant

      Laura Durrant answered on 21 May 2020:

      Hi Mahek! Like Faith, I am just a normal scientist 😋 Although clinical science would be a cool career! No, I actually wanted to be a doctor for a very long time as a child as I’ve always had an interest for human health and anatomy. But then my A-level Biology teacher introduced us to the molecules of life, like DNA… from then on I was hooked! That’s why I studied Biochemistry with Human Biology at university, because it let me have the best of both worlds 🙂

Comments

  • Photo: Louisa

    Louisa commented on :

    Hi Mahek, when I was at school I did think about becoming a medical doctor, but as Faith said, it is a big commitment. I also get a bit queasy when I see blood on someone! I ended up following the path to becoming a research scientist and finished a PhD, becoming a ‘Dr’, just a different kind 🙂 After that I was able to train as a clinical scientist. Many people know about the work of doctors but clinical scientists are really important! Without them, better ways of testing wouldn’t be developed, and doctors wouldn’t get any advice about any test results coming from the lab. I think being a clinical scientist is a satisfying career for me, because I still get to help patients, but I also make use of my analytical skills and lab knowledge too. I can also do some research work, which is focused to the needs of the hospital so that we can provide the best service that we can. Hope that answers your question!