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What kind of traits should you have if you want to get into cardiothoracic surgery? ?
Grade 11, favorite class chemistry,
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Kumi,
To become a cardiothoracic surgeon you need to go to medical school. You first need to earn an undergrad degree in any discipline. Many choose biology or biochemistry, but it can really be anything as long as you earn a bachelors (4 years).
You also need to take certain pre-requisite math and science courses.
Every medical school has slightly different requirements, so make sure you check with the schools you would consider what their current rules are. You also need to take the MCAT before you apply to medical school.
You'll be in med school for 4 years. The first 2 years are mostly classroom. The last 2 years are clinical. You'll rotate through several specialties. After passing exams you will be an MD or an DO depending on the path you chose.
Next, you'll choose a specialty to do your residency in, i.e. get further training. Residencies can last between 3 and 7 years depending on the specialty. The residency for cardiothoracic surgery is 6 years.
Getting into medical school is very competitive. You need to start early to prepare. Obviously, you need a good GPA and a high MCAT score. In high-school, you should take AP or IB or double enrollment (whatever advanced program your school offers), focussing on math and science courses. You should also start to volunteer or job-shadow in a medical environment, e.g. a hospital. Medical schools expect you to have medical experience and demonstrate your dedication to medicine and giving back to the community.
You'll also need letters of recommendation and a personal statement/essay. You might be invited to an interview as part of the selection process. So, start early to get all your ducks in a row.
To be a surgeon, especially a cardiothoracic surgeon you need steady hands. You also need to be quite stress-resistant as things can get hectic, you need to make quick decisions and you are holding someone's life in your hands. But you'll learn all that in your training.
As a doctor in general, you need to develop good bedside manors, you need to empathetic and instill trust in your patients. You also need to be able to work in a team with different people. Since school and teaining are so long, you need to be quite dedicated to this career.
I left some links for the requirements and admission process for Harvard Medical School as an example. You need to look up similar information for schools you would consider.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-before-you-apply
https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/admissions-eligibility-requirements
To become a cardiothoracic surgeon you need to go to medical school. You first need to earn an undergrad degree in any discipline. Many choose biology or biochemistry, but it can really be anything as long as you earn a bachelors (4 years).
You also need to take certain pre-requisite math and science courses.
Every medical school has slightly different requirements, so make sure you check with the schools you would consider what their current rules are. You also need to take the MCAT before you apply to medical school.
You'll be in med school for 4 years. The first 2 years are mostly classroom. The last 2 years are clinical. You'll rotate through several specialties. After passing exams you will be an MD or an DO depending on the path you chose.
Next, you'll choose a specialty to do your residency in, i.e. get further training. Residencies can last between 3 and 7 years depending on the specialty. The residency for cardiothoracic surgery is 6 years.
Getting into medical school is very competitive. You need to start early to prepare. Obviously, you need a good GPA and a high MCAT score. In high-school, you should take AP or IB or double enrollment (whatever advanced program your school offers), focussing on math and science courses. You should also start to volunteer or job-shadow in a medical environment, e.g. a hospital. Medical schools expect you to have medical experience and demonstrate your dedication to medicine and giving back to the community.
You'll also need letters of recommendation and a personal statement/essay. You might be invited to an interview as part of the selection process. So, start early to get all your ducks in a row.
To be a surgeon, especially a cardiothoracic surgeon you need steady hands. You also need to be quite stress-resistant as things can get hectic, you need to make quick decisions and you are holding someone's life in your hands. But you'll learn all that in your training.
As a doctor in general, you need to develop good bedside manors, you need to empathetic and instill trust in your patients. You also need to be able to work in a team with different people. Since school and teaining are so long, you need to be quite dedicated to this career.
I left some links for the requirements and admission process for Harvard Medical School as an example. You need to look up similar information for schools you would consider.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
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Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Hey there, Kumi! It's wonderful to hear about your interest in cardiothoracic surgery. This field, which focuses on surgeries of the heart, lungs, and other parts of the chest, is a challenging but rewarding one. As a Grade 11 student who loves chemistry, you're already on the right path. Let's talk about some ways you can prepare yourself for success in this field.
Firstly, it's great that you love chemistry, but don't forget about the other sciences and math too. Subjects like biology, physics, and advanced math are all key to becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. These fields will help you understand the human body and the medical technologies you'll be using. So, keep up the good work in school and always be curious to learn more!
Next, let's talk about some personal traits that will help you shine in this field. Problem-solving skills are a must-have. You'll often face complex medical cases that need new and creative solutions. You'll need to think critically, analyze data, and make good decisions even when the pressure is on.
Also, you'll need to be good with your hands. Cardiothoracic surgery requires precision and a steady hand. Activities like playing musical instruments or practicing on surgical simulators can help you develop these skills.
Communication and people skills are also super important. You'll need to talk to patients and their families in a clear and caring way. You'll also need to work well with other healthcare professionals. Being able to provide emotional support during tough times will help you build trust with your patients.
Being resilient and hardworking are also key. Training to be a surgeon is tough and you'll need to stay dedicated and keep pushing forward, even when things get hard. You'll need to be good at managing your time, adapting to change, and always putting your patients first.
Lastly, never lose your passion for the field and always be ready to learn more. Look for chances to do research, get clinical experience, and find mentors in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. These experiences will give you valuable insights and guidance as you work towards your career goals.
So, Kumi, becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon means combining academic knowledge, personal qualities, and professional skills. By focusing on problem-solving, manual dexterity, communication, resilience, and a love of patient care, you'll be well-prepared for a career in this field. Keep learning, keep practicing, and keep growing, and you'll be well on your way to success in this exciting field of medicine.
Firstly, it's great that you love chemistry, but don't forget about the other sciences and math too. Subjects like biology, physics, and advanced math are all key to becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. These fields will help you understand the human body and the medical technologies you'll be using. So, keep up the good work in school and always be curious to learn more!
Next, let's talk about some personal traits that will help you shine in this field. Problem-solving skills are a must-have. You'll often face complex medical cases that need new and creative solutions. You'll need to think critically, analyze data, and make good decisions even when the pressure is on.
Also, you'll need to be good with your hands. Cardiothoracic surgery requires precision and a steady hand. Activities like playing musical instruments or practicing on surgical simulators can help you develop these skills.
Communication and people skills are also super important. You'll need to talk to patients and their families in a clear and caring way. You'll also need to work well with other healthcare professionals. Being able to provide emotional support during tough times will help you build trust with your patients.
Being resilient and hardworking are also key. Training to be a surgeon is tough and you'll need to stay dedicated and keep pushing forward, even when things get hard. You'll need to be good at managing your time, adapting to change, and always putting your patients first.
Lastly, never lose your passion for the field and always be ready to learn more. Look for chances to do research, get clinical experience, and find mentors in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. These experiences will give you valuable insights and guidance as you work towards your career goals.
So, Kumi, becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon means combining academic knowledge, personal qualities, and professional skills. By focusing on problem-solving, manual dexterity, communication, resilience, and a love of patient care, you'll be well-prepared for a career in this field. Keep learning, keep practicing, and keep growing, and you'll be well on your way to success in this exciting field of medicine.
Updated
Paul’s Answer
The answers above are very good, but I can add a little to them. It may make more sense for you to focus on studying medicine and surgery rather than focusing on a specific surgical discipline. I say this because in my path through medical school I had many colleagues who changed their mind about their choice of specialty at least once and some more than once. It happened that I entered medical school focused on orthopedics and stuck with it, but other fields were tempting and there is no reason to make a choice before you have to. The key to success in any branch of medicine is focus and diligent concentration. If you go to medical school you will discover fields and interests you were not previously aware of, so having an open mind can be very beneficial.
Paul S. Treuhaft, MD, MA
Paul S. Treuhaft, MD, MA