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Caleb
Student
Colorado Springs, Colorado
1
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how cn someone become a doctor?
what are the requirement for a person to becom a doctor
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3 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Caleb,
Here's a step-by-step guide to becoming a doctor:
1. Start with Education:
First, earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as biology, chemistry, or pre-medicine. This is the foundation for your medical career.
Next, proceed to medical school to acquire a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. This usually takes four years and involves both classroom learning and clinical practice.
2. Pass Medical Licensing Exams:
To practice medicine in the United States, you need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
If you're interested in osteopathic medicine, you'll need to pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).
3. Complete Residency Training:
Post medical school, you'll need to complete residency training in your chosen specialty. The duration of this can vary from three to seven years, depending on the specialty.
4. Achieve Board Certification:
After your residency, you can choose to become board-certified in your specialty. This involves passing a specific board certification exam.
5. Undertake Additional Training for Specializations:
If you're interested in specialized fields like neurosurgery, you may need to undergo additional fellowship training after your residency.
6. Engage in Continuing Education:
To maintain your license and stay updated with the latest in medicine, you'll need to participate in continuing education throughout your career.
In a nutshell, the journey to becoming a doctor includes earning a bachelor’s degree, graduating from medical school, passing licensing exams, completing residency training, possibly achieving board certification, potentially pursuing additional training for specializations, and committing to lifelong learning.
Here are the top 3 authoritative sources for more information:
1. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):
The AAMC offers comprehensive details about the process and requirements of becoming a doctor in the United States, including guidance on medical education pathways.
2. American Medical Association (AMA):
The AMA is a respected organization for physicians that provides valuable insights into the medical profession, including information on licensing exams, residency programs, board certification, and continuing education requirements.
3. National Resident Matching Program (NRMP):
The NRMP plays a key role in matching medical students with residency programs in various specialties, helping aspiring doctors secure residency positions after medical school.
May you be blessed,
JC.
Here's a step-by-step guide to becoming a doctor:
1. Start with Education:
First, earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as biology, chemistry, or pre-medicine. This is the foundation for your medical career.
Next, proceed to medical school to acquire a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. This usually takes four years and involves both classroom learning and clinical practice.
2. Pass Medical Licensing Exams:
To practice medicine in the United States, you need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
If you're interested in osteopathic medicine, you'll need to pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).
3. Complete Residency Training:
Post medical school, you'll need to complete residency training in your chosen specialty. The duration of this can vary from three to seven years, depending on the specialty.
4. Achieve Board Certification:
After your residency, you can choose to become board-certified in your specialty. This involves passing a specific board certification exam.
5. Undertake Additional Training for Specializations:
If you're interested in specialized fields like neurosurgery, you may need to undergo additional fellowship training after your residency.
6. Engage in Continuing Education:
To maintain your license and stay updated with the latest in medicine, you'll need to participate in continuing education throughout your career.
In a nutshell, the journey to becoming a doctor includes earning a bachelor’s degree, graduating from medical school, passing licensing exams, completing residency training, possibly achieving board certification, potentially pursuing additional training for specializations, and committing to lifelong learning.
Here are the top 3 authoritative sources for more information:
1. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):
The AAMC offers comprehensive details about the process and requirements of becoming a doctor in the United States, including guidance on medical education pathways.
2. American Medical Association (AMA):
The AMA is a respected organization for physicians that provides valuable insights into the medical profession, including information on licensing exams, residency programs, board certification, and continuing education requirements.
3. National Resident Matching Program (NRMP):
The NRMP plays a key role in matching medical students with residency programs in various specialties, helping aspiring doctors secure residency positions after medical school.
May you be blessed,
JC.
William Moody
Freelance Musician
6
Answers
Downers Grove, Illinois
Updated
William’s Answer
Well lucky you for asking me.i read some previous answers and they focus on after grad med school but when I was pre med in BS degree pursuit I entered college with a 4.0 GPA high school. I went to a small college known for creating MS and MD and DDS people.i failed to get into medical school because I only had a B in Calculus and a C in Organic Chemistry plus MCAT score was not good so I grad college with a BS in Biology only. I also made the mistake of NOT getting my teachers certificate. So jobs were in testing labs and in genetics labs...I went into plastics manufacturing and had a good career for over 20 years. Then I went to chef school and did that for over 20 years.I am retired and working with community groups for welfare programs helping Veterans... Children...Seniors...I also am a ESL tutor.
Your high school grades are not as important as undergraduate grades ....most medical schools will only take 4.0 GPA students PLUS a very high score on MCAT . Many of my classmates went to other programs than medicine ....dental school ... veterinary school... podiatrist school...and several went to graduate school for Masters in Science degree for research jobs....a few went on further for PhD to become university research leaders or government agencies like CDC or pharmaceutical companies. At the very minimum I urge you to be sure to take those few extra undergraduate classes that get you a teaching certification for that state of your college or university.
Your high school grades are not as important as undergraduate grades ....most medical schools will only take 4.0 GPA students PLUS a very high score on MCAT . Many of my classmates went to other programs than medicine ....dental school ... veterinary school... podiatrist school...and several went to graduate school for Masters in Science degree for research jobs....a few went on further for PhD to become university research leaders or government agencies like CDC or pharmaceutical companies. At the very minimum I urge you to be sure to take those few extra undergraduate classes that get you a teaching certification for that state of your college or university.
Paul Treuhaft, MD, MA
Retired surgeon who replaced hips and knees
45
Answers
Santa Rosa, California
Updated
Paul’s Answer
The path is clear but not easy. After you graduate from high school you need to go to college and get a bachelor’s degree, typically in something like biology, chemistry, or physics. An alternative is to take as many of these courses as you can while majoring in something else. You need grades in college good enough to earn you entrance to medical school, which is another 4 years of formal education. After you graduate you have Ann MD degree but you are not yet ready to practice. You need to choose a specialty and do a residency to learn the details of your specific area of practice. A residency can be 4 to 7 years, and may be followed by a fellowship to obtain further highly focused specialization. During your time in college and medical school you will need to pay tuition in some way or another. Once you begin residency you will be payed a salary big enough to support your living but not enough to save any money. Once you finish all this training you will have a full career ahead of you. Depending on your specialty you should have the freedom to choose where you will live and work, and you can expect an income large enough to support a good quality of life and still provide a top quality education for your own children. Medicine is a good career! It is hard work but for a very good cause, and it provides a good quality off life for you and your family.
Paul S. Treuhaft, MD, MA
Paul S. Treuhaft, MD, MA