It starts with a desire to help people. Many times, the personal drive to become a physician begins during childhood. It might originate with an impulse to help people. Or perhaps you particularly admired your pediatrician, or showed an early aptitude for and an interest in science. It doesn’t really matter how it begins, because once someone makes the decision to become a physician, the path is well-mapped. A very specific set of academic and experience hurdles confront every medical student, and even though the requirements might change from specialty to specialty, the route doesn’t differ – only the amount of time it takes to reach the destination.

Undergraduate Education

Of course, anyone who decides at a relatively young age to pursue a career as a physician is likely going to need to perform exceedingly well academically. That starts in high school, when the requisite work habits and foundation of scientific knowledge are developed and nurtured. It also is important to get good grades and score well on college entrance exams because a student considering a career in medicine will want to attend the best possible university, and that means earning A’s.

Once you’ve started college, you will most likely want to take courses that emphasize basic sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics. It also goes without saying that in order to qualify for one of the very competitive seats in medical school, academic achievement during the undergraduate years is paramount.

Medical School (Undergraduate Medical Education)

After four years of undergraduate education, a student will enter a medical school that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Here, you’ll undergo preclinical and clinical training. It is at this stage that some future physicians decide to pursue a doctor of osteopathic (DO) degree, rather than a doctor of medicine (MD) degree. Regardless, after successful completion of medical school, a person can call himself or herself “Doctor.” But really, the journey has only just begun. After med school, things get real.

Residency Program (Graduate Medical Education)

The first year of the residency used to be known as an internship. The American Medical Association no longer calls it that, but the length of a residency program has remained the same. For some specialties, such as family practice and internal medicine, a residency typically lasts three years and is spent learning and gaining experience under the supervision of an experienced practitioner of the chosen specialty. General surgery and other “tough” residencies last up to five years.

Once the residency has been completed, the newly minted physician has a few more options. You could move into a fellowship, wherein you conduct further study into a subspecialty such as gastroenterology or psychiatry. This can last another three years, depending on the subspecialty fellowship attended.

Licensing and Board Certification

Once the residency has been completed, a physician must become licensed in the state or states where he or she will practice medicine. This involves passing a series of exams that demonstrate what was learned in medical school and the residency. After becoming licensed, many physicians choose to seek board certification through a specialty certifying body such as the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Board of Physician Specialties. This involves taking more exams, and periodic recertification. Throughout a physician’s career, he or she will be expected to attend continuing medical education (CME) courses on a regular basis to stay updated on technological advances and best practices.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare jobs.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. Mr. Thomas is able to offer insight into many topics, including healthcare employment. http://www.topworkplaces.com/frontend.php/regional-list/company/tampabay/laser-spine-institute

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare jobs.

Category: Career
Keywords: Healthcare employment, jobs