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Armphinemet
Student
Glendale, Arizona
2
Questions
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What does one do to become a neurosurgeon?
What does the path of striving to become a neurosurgeon look like
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James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
266
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Oakland, California
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James’s Answer
The path for all physicians and surgeons begins by doing very well in college, including prerequisite classes, so you can get into medical or osteopathic school. During medical school one "rotates" through all the major specialties, and has some elective time to choose specific subspecialties that may be of interest. During the first three years of medical school one generally figures out what one wants to do afterwards - although some, like me, actually apply to two different residency programs, allowing "The Match" to decide which specialty they will go into.
Residencies are between 3 and 7 years, depending on the specialty. Neurosurgery happens to be 6-7 years. Many who complete their residency choose to do another year or two doing a fellowship, during which they gain further subspecialty skills.
Really, all physicians must be perpetually learning and evolving as the science of medicine is advancing so quickly. We are all required to obtain ongoing medical education hours each year, and some use that to go to special hands-on classes to learn new techniques.
Residencies are between 3 and 7 years, depending on the specialty. Neurosurgery happens to be 6-7 years. Many who complete their residency choose to do another year or two doing a fellowship, during which they gain further subspecialty skills.
Really, all physicians must be perpetually learning and evolving as the science of medicine is advancing so quickly. We are all required to obtain ongoing medical education hours each year, and some use that to go to special hands-on classes to learn new techniques.