MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Audience: Pre-Med, Pre-Physician Assistant, Healthcare Students, Pre-Health Societies

Context: Many students face the overarching decision of figuring out which path they want to take in their career. In the healthcare world, this can range from deciding to become a physician, physician assistant, EMT, nurse, etc.) However, there is a major controversy surrounding the decision of becoming a M.D versus a D.O. On top of that, a recent career field of a physician assistant has emerged and is becoming a popular career. This document would help give readers a sense of what each career path looks like and help them plan for the career choice right for them.

Purpose: To explain 3 similar yet different healthcare career choices for students wanting to go into the medical field or are thinking about the medical field.

Document Type: Student Guide, Planning, Analysis, Content for Use in Web Setting

Design/Format:

I. Introduction
a. Talking about the healthcare world and ends with the topic of medical careers
II. Physician Assistant
a. What encompasses the career
i. The path it takes to receive degree
1. Ex. Shorter than most medical degrees
2. Ex. 4 years undergrad+2-3 years graduate school
b. How it differs from traditional physician careers
Lifestyle
c. Challenges/benefits
III. D.O Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
a. What encompasses the career
i. The path it takes to receive degree
b. How it differs from traditional Doctor of Allopathic Medicine
c. Lifestyle
d. Challenges/benefits of career
IV. M.D Doctor of Allopathic Medicine
a. What encompasses the career
i. The path it takes to receive degree
b. Lifestyle
c. Challenges/benefits of career
V. What to Do to Increase knowledge about careers
a. Shadow
b. What is your goal in life
c. Do you see yourself doing this for 50+ years?
d. Healthcare professional Advising Office in College
VI. Conclusion

Citation Style: Combination with referral links and APA style

This is a great idea as I faced this exact struggle. Something I learned from shadowing all different health care providers was that figuring out your priorities plays a big role in deciding which path to go down -- whether that be patient interaction, autonomy, family life, etc. Gap years are also helpful as you can gain more real-life experience after college, so it is important to realize that there is no need to rush!

I think a guide like this is really helpful to students interested in going into the medical field. Personally, I didn't know that there were that many options until recently. I would be excited to read the guide in the future!

This is a great idea. I was facing this exact struggle at this time last year, and a guide like this would have been extremely beneficial.

I really like this idea as a pre-med student. This guide would have been very helpful for me at the time I started college. I look forward to reading your final project!

This is a really great idea and I look forward to reading it because I'll be making a decision on which career path I want to go down very soon. I haven't done much research into DO or PA yet so reading this guide will certainly be beneficial.

You have an audience! Let's ask people in class to give you a question or two for answers. A part of your document can be a FAQ section.

Also, great plan on sections/information!

This is a really good idea - I know a ton of students who've struggled with this decision in the past or are currently figuring it out right now. I look forward to reading your final project!