🩺 Thinking About a Career in Medicine or Health Sciences?
Medicine is one of the most respected, life-changing, and in-demand careers in South Africa. It also comes with high expectations and years of hard work. But is it still a good choice in a world where AI is starting to diagnose diseases and assist in surgeries?
💡 Yes—But the Role Is Changing
AI is transforming healthcare, but not replacing it. Tools like medical imaging AI, virtual assistants, and predictive analytics help:
- Diagnose conditions earlier
- Manage patient records efficiently
- Assist in treatment planning
What they can’t do is:
- Show empathy to a scared patient
- Communicate complex news with compassion
- Adapt to unexpected symptoms in real-time
Key insight: AI is a support tool. The heart of medicine is still human.
📘 Best Subjects to Take in High School
- Maths and Physical Sciences: Crucial for most health-related degrees
- Life Sciences: Biology is essential for understanding the human body
- English: Helps with communication and comprehension
If your school offers it, consider taking an extra language—being multilingual is a huge asset in public health settings.
🎓 Study Paths Beyond Just Becoming a Doctor
Not everyone who’s passionate about health has to become a medical doctor. Here are other great careers in the field:
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Nursing or Midwifery
- Occupational Therapy
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Dietetics or Nutrition
- Radiography
- Public Health or Medical Research
💡 Don’t Forget Allied Health and Health Tech
New roles are emerging that combine health and technology:
- Health informatics
- Medical data science
- Healthcare AI research
🧠 Final Advice for Parents and Students
If your child is compassionate, hardworking, and drawn to helping others—medicine or health science may be a perfect fit. But be open to more than just becoming a doctor. The health sector is wide, growing, and evolving fast with technology.
Encouragement: The best health professionals of the future will combine science, empathy, and digital fluency.
Need help choosing the right health career or finding the best subjects?
Let’s chat.