3 answers
Caleb
Student
1
Question
Updated
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How do I become a surgeon ??
How do I become a surgeon ??
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3 answers
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
362
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Caleb:
Physicians and Surgeons are similar in their responsibilities and duties in taking care of patients and in dealing with hospital staff and medical personnel. The main difference between the two professionals is that Surgeons operate on patients whereas Physicians do not. Physicians diagnose patients and treat their medical conditions. Operations performed by Surgeons can be treating injuries like broken bones, removal of diseases like tumors and cancers, deformities, etc.
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare to be a Physician or a Surgeon. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, calculus and statistics will be needed. Both concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Physician or a Surgeon, communication is essential and critical when dealing with hospital staff and patients. A college course in Public Speaking, Communication and English will help with one's communication and writing skills.
To become a Physician or a Surgeon, a Bachelor Degree in Biology, pre-med or another science related field has to be earned at a college or university. Afterwards, a doctorate degree from an accredited medical school has to be obtained. The next phase will be training through a medical residency as well as medical certification and licensing.
For education and training, it will take up to 14 years to become a Physician or a Surgeon. The Bachelor Degree will be between 4-5 years. Medical school will be another 4-5 years. Medical residency, medical certification and licensing can take up to 3-4 years.
Being a Physician or a Surgeon can be a demanding and rewarding profession, especially depending if there is a specialized field or concentration. Remember, as a Physician or a Surgeon, you are the professional who saves lives. Your patients are impacted by you.
While in college, here are some undergraduate degrees to major in order to become a Physician or a Surgeon:
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
It will be best to seek advice from your high school guidance counselor as well as teachers to help you focus your interests for a specific major in college.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is an overview of pursuing medical school:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools
According to U.S. News & World Report, here are the top colleges and universities to consider for Medical School:
- Harvard University
- John Hopkins University
- University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
- Stanford University
- University of California (San Francisco)
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University (St. Louis)
- Cornell University (Weill)
- New York University (Grossman)
- Yale University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
Scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. Scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
Best wishes for your education and career path as a Physician or a Surgeon!
Physicians and Surgeons are similar in their responsibilities and duties in taking care of patients and in dealing with hospital staff and medical personnel. The main difference between the two professionals is that Surgeons operate on patients whereas Physicians do not. Physicians diagnose patients and treat their medical conditions. Operations performed by Surgeons can be treating injuries like broken bones, removal of diseases like tumors and cancers, deformities, etc.
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare to be a Physician or a Surgeon. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, calculus and statistics will be needed. Both concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Physician or a Surgeon, communication is essential and critical when dealing with hospital staff and patients. A college course in Public Speaking, Communication and English will help with one's communication and writing skills.
To become a Physician or a Surgeon, a Bachelor Degree in Biology, pre-med or another science related field has to be earned at a college or university. Afterwards, a doctorate degree from an accredited medical school has to be obtained. The next phase will be training through a medical residency as well as medical certification and licensing.
For education and training, it will take up to 14 years to become a Physician or a Surgeon. The Bachelor Degree will be between 4-5 years. Medical school will be another 4-5 years. Medical residency, medical certification and licensing can take up to 3-4 years.
Being a Physician or a Surgeon can be a demanding and rewarding profession, especially depending if there is a specialized field or concentration. Remember, as a Physician or a Surgeon, you are the professional who saves lives. Your patients are impacted by you.
While in college, here are some undergraduate degrees to major in order to become a Physician or a Surgeon:
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
It will be best to seek advice from your high school guidance counselor as well as teachers to help you focus your interests for a specific major in college.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is an overview of pursuing medical school:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools
According to U.S. News & World Report, here are the top colleges and universities to consider for Medical School:
- Harvard University
- John Hopkins University
- University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
- Stanford University
- University of California (San Francisco)
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University (St. Louis)
- Cornell University (Weill)
- New York University (Grossman)
- Yale University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
Scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. Scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
Best wishes for your education and career path as a Physician or a Surgeon!
Julio Morales
DVM in Colombia Vet tech in US
4
Answers
Armenia, Quindio, Colombia
Updated
Julio’s Answer
You must take some credits at the school of veterinary medicine, do training and volunteering on this subject
Hakeem Ola Saka
Freelancer
73
Answers
Maryland Heights, Missouri
Updated
Hakeem Ola’s Answer
Becoming a surgeon is a challenging but rewarding journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and years of education and training.
1. Undergraduate Education: Complete a bachelor's degree, preferably in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or pre-medicine. Maintain a high GPA and take prerequisite courses required for medical school.
2. Medical School: Successfully complete four years of medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Medical school coursework covers basic sciences, clinical medicine, and patient care.
3. USMLE or COMLEX Exams: Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) to obtain a medical license.
4. Residency: Enter a surgical residency program, which typically lasts 5-7 years depending on the surgical specialty. During residency, you'll receive hands-on training in various surgical procedures, patient care, and surgical techniques under the supervision of experienced surgeons.
5. Fellowship (Optional): Some surgeons choose to pursue additional fellowship training in a specific surgical subspecialty, such as cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, or pediatric surgery. Fellowships provide specialized training and expertise in a particular area of surgery.
6. Board Certification: After completing residency and fellowship (if applicable), you'll be eligible to take the board certification examination administered by the American Board of Surgery or other specialty boards. Board certification demonstrates your proficiency and competency in your surgical specialty.
7. State Licensure: Obtain a state medical license to practice medicine and surgery in the state where you intend to work. Licensing requirements vary by state but typically include passing the medical licensing exam and meeting other eligibility criteria.
8. Continuing Medical Education (CME): As a practicing surgeon, participate in ongoing CME activities to stay current with advancements in surgical techniques, medical knowledge, and patient care practices.
9. Professional Development: Engage in professional organizations and networking opportunities within the surgical community. Continuing education, research, and collaboration with colleagues contribute to your growth and development as a surgeon.
10. Maintain Work-Life Balance: Balancing the demands of a surgical career with personal life is essential for long-term well-being and career satisfaction. Practice self-care, maintain a support system, and prioritize activities outside of work to prevent burnout.
1. Undergraduate Education: Complete a bachelor's degree, preferably in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or pre-medicine. Maintain a high GPA and take prerequisite courses required for medical school.
2. Medical School: Successfully complete four years of medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Medical school coursework covers basic sciences, clinical medicine, and patient care.
3. USMLE or COMLEX Exams: Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) to obtain a medical license.
4. Residency: Enter a surgical residency program, which typically lasts 5-7 years depending on the surgical specialty. During residency, you'll receive hands-on training in various surgical procedures, patient care, and surgical techniques under the supervision of experienced surgeons.
5. Fellowship (Optional): Some surgeons choose to pursue additional fellowship training in a specific surgical subspecialty, such as cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, or pediatric surgery. Fellowships provide specialized training and expertise in a particular area of surgery.
6. Board Certification: After completing residency and fellowship (if applicable), you'll be eligible to take the board certification examination administered by the American Board of Surgery or other specialty boards. Board certification demonstrates your proficiency and competency in your surgical specialty.
7. State Licensure: Obtain a state medical license to practice medicine and surgery in the state where you intend to work. Licensing requirements vary by state but typically include passing the medical licensing exam and meeting other eligibility criteria.
8. Continuing Medical Education (CME): As a practicing surgeon, participate in ongoing CME activities to stay current with advancements in surgical techniques, medical knowledge, and patient care practices.
9. Professional Development: Engage in professional organizations and networking opportunities within the surgical community. Continuing education, research, and collaboration with colleagues contribute to your growth and development as a surgeon.
10. Maintain Work-Life Balance: Balancing the demands of a surgical career with personal life is essential for long-term well-being and career satisfaction. Practice self-care, maintain a support system, and prioritize activities outside of work to prevent burnout.