3 answers
ava
Student
Grafton, Ohio
3
Questions
Asked
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why would it take so many years to become a doctor?
is it just a lot of work in general or is it studies and mentoring and finding other ways to better youself.
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3 answers
Shelia Bereszniewicz
Seller enblement
62
Answers
Woodstock, Georgia
Updated
Shelia’s Answer
Hi Ava, Becoming a doctor or a surgeon is an exciting journey you might want to embark on, especially if you have a deep love for the sciences. Ever thought about volunteering at a hospital? It's an excellent opportunity to experience first-hand what being a doctor involves and to discover if becoming a doctor matches your career goals. Between a college degree and medical school, you're looking at 8 years plus your residency specialty. Take a look at what it involves.
A smart move might be to choose a college that offers a biomedical sciences program. This major will expose you to most of the diverse subjects you'll need to tackle in medical school. You'll need to shine in your studies, take up leadership roles and clock in hours at a hospital, clinic or doctor's office. My daughter, for example, worked as a medical scribe during her undergrad degree. You'll need to study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and aim to score 510 or higher. Applying to multiple medical schools is a good idea. The application process involves writing a stellar personal statement, getting letters of recommendations, completing both a primary and secondary application and nailing the interview. Hopefully, you will receive multiple interviews where you'll have the opportunity to impress and stand out from the other applicants.
Once accepted into medical school, you'll spend two years of learning everything there is to know about the human body and how to diagnose patients (actors). Next, you spend the next 2 years on clinical rotations. You'll have to pass Step 1 to start third year and pass Step 2 for your fourth year. Passing the medical boards is key to kickstart your residency. The length of your residency depends on your specialty. For example, a surgeon is another 5 years.
If this path is overwhelming, you can become a physician assistant (PA) in 2.5 years after earning your college degree. There are different requirement for becoming a PA. Good luck!
A smart move might be to choose a college that offers a biomedical sciences program. This major will expose you to most of the diverse subjects you'll need to tackle in medical school. You'll need to shine in your studies, take up leadership roles and clock in hours at a hospital, clinic or doctor's office. My daughter, for example, worked as a medical scribe during her undergrad degree. You'll need to study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and aim to score 510 or higher. Applying to multiple medical schools is a good idea. The application process involves writing a stellar personal statement, getting letters of recommendations, completing both a primary and secondary application and nailing the interview. Hopefully, you will receive multiple interviews where you'll have the opportunity to impress and stand out from the other applicants.
Once accepted into medical school, you'll spend two years of learning everything there is to know about the human body and how to diagnose patients (actors). Next, you spend the next 2 years on clinical rotations. You'll have to pass Step 1 to start third year and pass Step 2 for your fourth year. Passing the medical boards is key to kickstart your residency. The length of your residency depends on your specialty. For example, a surgeon is another 5 years.
If this path is overwhelming, you can become a physician assistant (PA) in 2.5 years after earning your college degree. There are different requirement for becoming a PA. Good luck!
Steven Bornfeld
dentistry
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Full disclosure--I am a (retired) dentist, not a physician. The short answer is that there is that much to learn. From a practical point of view, getting a license requires that you graduate from an accredited medical school. That will require you have a bachelor's degree beforehand. Medical school is generally 4 years. Internships generally a year, residencies (depending on specialty) 3 to 7 years.
Some would argue that this is unnecessarily long and arduous. But most people not in the field have no idea the sheer volume of information you must absorb. Of course it may well be that for some specialties there may be some parts of your education that you won't generally use. But not all physicians go into direct patient care. Some go into research and/or academia; some go into public health, some go into administrative fields. And for most students entering medical school, the final destination is not known until sometime later. Having a rounded medical education will equip you to make these choices.
That medical training takes so long is just one reason medical care has become so expensive. So there has been pressure in some areas to deliver less-specialized care by medical personnel whose training is shorter. Some nursing specialties such as nurse-practitioners, and allied workers such as physician's assistants can carry out many of the functions of physicians. State laws may differ as to exactly the level of supervision these so-called "mid-level providers" require. This has predictably become quite controversial among physicians. But these fields have become attractive for some people who want to work in the field but don't have the time or resources to become physicians. And I can tell you from first-hand experience that some of these people are very good at what they do.
Good luck!
Some would argue that this is unnecessarily long and arduous. But most people not in the field have no idea the sheer volume of information you must absorb. Of course it may well be that for some specialties there may be some parts of your education that you won't generally use. But not all physicians go into direct patient care. Some go into research and/or academia; some go into public health, some go into administrative fields. And for most students entering medical school, the final destination is not known until sometime later. Having a rounded medical education will equip you to make these choices.
That medical training takes so long is just one reason medical care has become so expensive. So there has been pressure in some areas to deliver less-specialized care by medical personnel whose training is shorter. Some nursing specialties such as nurse-practitioners, and allied workers such as physician's assistants can carry out many of the functions of physicians. State laws may differ as to exactly the level of supervision these so-called "mid-level providers" require. This has predictably become quite controversial among physicians. But these fields have become attractive for some people who want to work in the field but don't have the time or resources to become physicians. And I can tell you from first-hand experience that some of these people are very good at what they do.
Good luck!
Pamela Knight
Student
74
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Pamela’s Answer
Hello Ava
Becoming a doctor requires several years of education and training in order to ensure that medical professionals are well-prepared to provide quality care to patients. The process includes completing a bachelor's degree, followed by four years of medical school, and then a residency program that can last anywhere from three to seven years, depending on the specialty chosen.
Additionally, doctors must also pass licensing exams and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their practice. The extensive training and education are necessary to ensure that doctors have the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose, treat, and care for patients effectively.
Ava, I will be praying🙏🏾with you of God's Plans purposes for your life with great success and remember to choose what you Love, and your choices.
-Adviser Pamela Knight
Becoming a doctor requires several years of education and training in order to ensure that medical professionals are well-prepared to provide quality care to patients. The process includes completing a bachelor's degree, followed by four years of medical school, and then a residency program that can last anywhere from three to seven years, depending on the specialty chosen.
Additionally, doctors must also pass licensing exams and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their practice. The extensive training and education are necessary to ensure that doctors have the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose, treat, and care for patients effectively.
Ava, I will be praying🙏🏾with you of God's Plans purposes for your life with great success and remember to choose what you Love, and your choices.
-Adviser Pamela Knight