A career as a physician is not only challenging and rewarding, it is a lifestyle. The training requirements to become a physician are demanding and require many years of education. Physicians work long hours and spend most to their time walking or on their feet.
There are many types of physician careers, as they all do not work directly with patients. Some physicians are involved in research, while others have chosen to teach, be administrators, or advisors. There are also many specialties physicians may choose to pursue; such as internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine. Other choices when looking for a career as a physician are dentistry, psychiatry, anesthesiology, surgery, and more.
A physician that practices general or family medicine is usually the first type of physician patients see when they have an illness or injury. Physicians diagnose, administer treatments, order and review lab, x-ray and other tests, prescribe medications, council patients about preventative healthcare, and refer patients to specialists when needed.
Physicians may work in hospitals, clinics, group practices, ambulatory settings, urgent care centers, labs, in small or private practices. The career choices of a physician are almost endless.
The minimal educational requirements for entry into medical school, is three years of college, but a bachelors degree is preferred. To apply to medical school, you will need to submit a copy of your college or grad school transcript, letters of recommendation, and your scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). By submitting your application through the American College Medical Application Service, one application canl be submitted to multiple medical schools.
Once you are in med school, you will spend the next four years studying basic science and doing clinical rotations, which is hands on learning in a real healthcare setting most commonly a hospital. The first two years are in classroom study and the third year clinical rotation is introduced. Some medical schools are starting to introduce hands on medical care earlier in the curriculum and throughout the four-year program.
After successfully completing your four years of med school, you will have earned your M.D. or medical degree. The next step is to complete a one year internship. After completing the internship, you may practice general medicine. At this point, you can choose a specialty and do your residency program. Depending on the specialty you chose, your residency may last from three to eight or more years.
Prior to practicing medicine, you must complete a three step medical exam known as the USMLE or United Stated Medical Licensure Examination. There are also additional testing such as boards, and licensing requirements for various specialties.
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