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How much school is required to become a PCP (Primary Care Provider)?

I am interested in the medical field but I am a little pushed away by the amount of schooling.

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Michel’s Answer

Currently a medical school student. You need to complete a bachelors in whatever you like. Most people will complete a bachelors in biology but it is not required. The reason people major in Biology is because it will allow you to finish all of the prerequisites to get into medical school so you don’t have to perform a postbac. A lot of people do choose to take a gap year to make themselves more competitive. You can do research, study for the entrance exam, gain experience in the field if you like. You will then complete the four years of medical school and three of family medicine. It seems like a lot of time, but once you get into medical school you will start to grow more and more knowledge and become more and more helpful in the healthcare team. So it is a lot of school, but during this time you are actively going to become more and more helpful to the team and gaining more independence during this time. Think of it as most jobs where you start low and grow over time and become more independent.
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Johnathan
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Brianna’s Answer

The other answers gave a pretty straightforward overview of the amount and types of schooling people need to become an MD. I'd like to add that of you are not looking to be in school that long, there is a huge variety of jobs in healthcare that require less school. These include:

-rehab and habiliatative therapy (physical, occupational, and speech/cognitive therapies) typically require a 4-year Bachelors degree and 2-3 Masters program for clinical training
-rehab and habilitative therapy assistants (physical, occupational, and speech therapy assistants) typically require either a 4-year Bachelors degree OR an Associates or clinical certification which take ~2 years
-Technical certifications (CNA, lab tech, sonogram tech, xray tech, etc) typically require 1-2 years technical training
-medical social worker, typically requires a 4-year Bachelors and a 2-3 year masters degree
-counselor or therapist (typically needs a 4-year Bachelors, with other clinical certifications available)
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the help. Johnathan
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Shivani’s Answer

You have to complete 4 years of Bachelors in Science. If you have a degree you can take a postbac (sp) which is like 2 years of prerequisites for med school.

Then 4 years of medical school.

Then 3 years of family medicine residency
Thank you comment icon Thank you for taking the time to help. Johnathan
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Pamela’s Answer

Hi Johnathan! There is no doubt the time commitment is daunting. The thing to keep in mind is that the majority of your post college training (med school, residency, fellowship) is hands-on, not just sitting in the library studying. Yes, there is a lot of work and studying too, but you quickly get to a point where you can begin to apply your knowledge and take care of people and fix their problems. Becoming that person for a large community of people makes it worth it for most people who go into the field. If you do go this route and don’t care for direct patient care, you can also do research, teach or become an administrator, so there are many options, all with unique rewards. Hope this helps!
Pam
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