Doctors are required to complete several years of education.
There are two main classifications of physicians: Medical doctors, or MDs, and osteopathic doctors, DOs. Medical doctors, the more traditional of the two, treat patients based on the assumption that when their individual body systems are diseased or afflicted, they require medication or surgery for health restoration. Osteopathic doctors provide whole-body care in an attempt to re-align patients with their natural abilities to heal themselves. Both MDs and DOs must complete medical school and residency programs. DOs must complete a year-long internship, as well.
High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
Preparatory education to become a physician may begin as early as high school. A high school diploma or GED equivalent is necessary to gain admission to a college or university, and a bachelor's degree is necessary for admission to medical school. High school students planning to pursue pre-medical studies might take courses in health, biology, chemistry, mathematics and English. Courses in a foreign language are also recommended. In preparation for college admission, high school students should sit for the ACT or SAT.
Bachelor's Degree
Many pre-med students working toward a bachelor's degree major in one of the sciences, such as biology, chemistry or physics, but medical schools accept students from a plethora of majors and degree programs. Medical school admissions review boards look for applicants who are serious about a medical career, have some health care experience, have maintained a high grade-point average and have competitive Medical College Admissions Test---or MCAT---scores.
Medical School
Successful completion of degree requirements at a four-year medical school accredited either by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association follows undergraduate studies. A student who wishes to become a medical doctor must attend a LCME-accredited school; a student who intends to become an osteopathic doctor must attend an AOA-accredited school. The curriculum is similar. During the first two years students take classroom courses in biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical laws and medical ethics. During the final two years, students rotate through various specialties, gaining supervised clinical practice. Specialties include family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and surgery.
Internship
Following graduation, osteopathic doctors are typically required to complete a year-long internship before beginning their residency. They continue their education during their internship by rotating through various specialties under instruction of a licensed physician.
Residency
Medical doctors and osteopathic doctors complete the final step of their medical education during a hospital residency. Paid residencies allow doctors to focus on their intended specialty while observing, diagnosing and treating patients under the close supervision of an attending physician. Residencies may last from two to six years.
Tags: Medical doctors, medical school, biology chemistry, complete year-long, complete year-long internship, doctor must