An ER doctor needs to complete four years of college, four years of medical school and three or four years of an emergency medicine residency. Though many classes and areas of study are required during each of these periods, ER is one of quickest fields of medicine to enter.
College
Admission to medical school requires a bachelor's degree and a number of college courses. Some students, particularly those who decide later that they would like to pursue a career in medicine, complete these courses later, between college and medical school. Although many students major in premedicine or a related field of science, student may also major in other fields, such as English or art, as long as they complete the premedical course work. Medical schools generally require one year of biology, one year of chemistry, one year of organic chemistry and one year of physics, all with accompanying lab work.
Some schools require additional courses, such as a semester or year of calculus, a semester of biochemistry and study in the humanities. Some colleges may offer others course of particular relevance to emergency medicine.
Extracurricular Study
Certification as an EMT, through college coursework or a program in the local community, and practice working as an EMT or hospital volunteer will be helpful credentials on the student's application and in explaining his interest in emergency medicine.
Medical School
The first two years of medical school typically focus on classroom and lab study. Student in medical school take the same courses regardless of the field they are going to pursue. These courses include gross anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microanatomy/histology, microbiology, behavioural science, pathology, pharmacology, a course in working with patients and often a course in the ethics of laws of medicine.
In labs, student dissect a cadaver, study cells of the body under microscopes and practice patient interactions, typically using other students or trained "simulated patients." Medical schools often have student organizations for those interested in particular subjects, like emergency medicine, which may present students with additional opportunities to learn about or gain experiences in these areas.
Clinical Rotations
Students spend the third and forth year of medical school in rotations at hospitals and clinics, assisting residents and performing basic medical procedures. Rotations in surgery, internal medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology are required in all medical schools, and rotations in family medicine, neurology and orthopedics are required in most. Students also have a chance to select a number of electives, including electives in emergency medicine. Though most rotations are done at hospitals and clinics affiliated with the medical school, students can also arrange to do them away at other institutions. This is an opportunity for students to visit a place where they may want to do their residency.
Residency
Three to four years of residency in emergency medicine complete an ER doctor's schooling, although some doctors may also choose to do an additional year of fellowship in gain a deeper understand of an area related to emergency medicine, such as emergency medical services. During these years, the resident works under the guidance of experienced doctors, learning about all procedures and areas of emergency medicine, including psychiatric emergencies and pediatrics.
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