The opportunity to improve the health of other people and possibly save their lives is a rewarding experience. This is exactly the reward you will receive on a daily basis while working as a physician. If you wish to work in this challenging but rewarding career, these are the steps you should take.
Get A Bachelors Degree
A bachelor’s degree is necessary to be considered for medical school. A specific degree is not required but a good foundation in natural science and a bit of experience in a healthcare setting is a plus. Coursework in chemistry, biology, physics, and other sciences is also beneficial.
Prospective doctors can get the experience they need in a health care setting by volunteering in clinics and hospitals while in high school or working towards their undergraduate degrees.
Pass The Medical College Admissions Test
The MCAT exam is a standardized test that measures a medical school candidate’s ability to reason, write, and solve problems. Test areas include physics, biology, organic chemistry, and general chemistry.
Your MCAT prep should entail exercises that prioritize deep comprehension of the subject matters tested. An MCAT prep routine that concentrates on simple memorization will likely leave you unprepared for success with the exam.
Graduate From Medical School
Medical school generally takes four years to complete. The first two years of study includes a lot of work in the classroom and in laboratories. During the final two years of study, you will work directly with patients while being supervised by experienced physicians.
Classroom coursework for medical school students includes pharmacology, biochemistry, anatomy, and pathology. Clinical areas of study include radiology, neurology, and medicine.
Enroll In A Residency Program
A residency program will offer you the chance to work in a specialized area of medicine directly with patients. Potential areas of study include emergency medicine, internal medicine, anesthesiology, internal medicine, and psychiatry.
During your time in residency, you will be responsible for important activities concerning your patients including compiling a medical history, performing a physical exam, and developing a problem list.
Most residencies are completed in hospitals and can last from three to seven years depending on the area of specialty.
Obtain A License
You will need to obtain a license for the state where you intend to practice as a physician. Graduating from medical school and completing your residency requirements were the first steps in this process.
The United States Medical Licensing Examinations is required for all medical doctors. Other requirements specific to the state in which you practice can be obtained by contacting that state’s licensing board.
The licenses for medical doctors must be periodically renewed. Each state has its own set of criteria for licensing renewal.
Obtain Needed Certifications
Certifications are not a requirement but can possibly increase your opportunities as a doctor. Certifications are given by the American Board of Medical Specialties. The assessments and evaluations performed by the board are thorough and mark the physician as an expert on a particular specialty area.
While it is a real challenge to achieve the status of doctor, the position comes with great rewards. If you believe a career as a doctor is right for you, the steps listed above will help make your dreams a reality.