What education or training is required to become a physician?

Answer 1

1. A Bachelor's degree with certain required courses, including introductory Biology, chemistry and physics; organic chemistry; and often biochemistry and literature classes.

2. An M.D. degree, with two years of medical classes, one year of residency and one year of internship

3. Specialized training in the subfield of medicine one chooses to enter The common path to practicing as a physician requires 8 years of education beyond high school and 3 to 8 additional years of internship and residency. All States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories license physicians. Education and training. Formal education and training requirements for physicians are among the most demanding of any occupation-4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on the specialty selected. A few medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 years rather than the customary 8 years. Premedical students must complete undergraduate work in physics, biology, mathematics, English, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the Social Sciences. Some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience in the health professions. The minimum educational requirement for entry into medical school is 3 years of college; most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. There are 146 medical schools in the United States-126 teach allopathic medicine and award a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree; 20 teach osteopathic medicine and award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Acceptance to medical school is highly competitive. Applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test, and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider an applicant's character, personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. Most schools require an interview with members of the admissions committee. Students spend most of the first 2 years of medical school in laboratories and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical ethics, and laws governing medicine. They also learn to take medical histories, examine patients, and diagnose illnesses. During their last 2 years, students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics, learning acute, chronic, preventive, and rehabilitative care. Through rotations in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, they gain experience in the diagnosis and treatment of illness. Following medical school, almost all M.D.s enter a residency-graduate medical education in a specialty that takes the form of paid on-the-job training, usually in a hospital. Most D.O.s serve a 12-month rotating internship after graduation and before entering a residency, which may last 2 to 6 years. A physician's training is costly. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, in 2004 more than 80 percent of medical school graduates were in debt for educational expenses. Licensure and certification. All States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories license physicians. To be licensed, physicians must graduate from an accredited medical school, pass a licensing examination, and complete 1 to 7 years of graduate medical education. Although physicians licensed in one State usually can get a license to practice in another without further examination, some States limit reciprocity. Graduates of foreign medical schools generally can qualify for licensure after passing an examination and completing a U.S. residency. M.D.s and D.O.s seeking board certification in a specialty may spend up to 7 years in residency training, depending on the specialty. A final examination immediately after residency or after 1 or 2 years of practice also is necessary for certification by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The ABMS represents 24 boards related to medical specialties ranging from allergy and immunology to urology. The AOA has approved 18 specialty boards, ranging from anesthesiology to surgery. For certification in a subspecialty, physicians usually need another 1 to 2 years of residency. Other qualifications. People who wish to become physicians must have a desire to serve patients, be self-motivated, and be able to survive the pressures and long hours of medical education and practice. Physicians also must have a good bedside manner, emotional stability, and the ability to make decisions in emergencies. Prospective physicians must be willing to study throughout their career to keep up with medical advances. Advancement. Some physicians and surgeons advance by gaining expertise in specialties and subspecialties and by developing a reputation for excellence among their peers and patients. Many physicians and surgeons start their own practice or join a group practice. Others teach residents and other new doctors, and some advance to supervisory and managerial roles in hospitals, clinics, and other settings. For the source and more detailed information concerning this subject, click on the related links section indicated below.

Answer 2

Depends what kind of doctor you mean. Their are M.D.s (medical doctors), PhD (Doctor of "Philosophy" which is anything from literature to economics to science to engineering), and others. Some of the less known types are ones like Psy.D's or Pharm D's, which ae doctors of psychology (NOT a psychiatrist but a psychologist) and Pharmacy respectiviely. A basic answer is 1: Highschool Degree 2: Undergrad Degree - good grades are generally needed to get accepted to grad schools 3: Grad school. School to school major to major varies in how much time or what is needed to be granted a PhD. In the sciences you genereally, though not always, earn a MS (masters of science) first then continue to the PhD level. this usually involves multiple classses (more specilized then undergrad education) plus research. the research is the big part - to get a PhD they often want you to discover something novel and examine it from all sides (Thesis defense). meaning you will conduct your research and writre a thesis. When you are ready to be granted the PhD you will ge through a Thesis Defense. meaning multiple faculty members were given your thesis ahead of time and question you on the thesis and anything else they want. If you can show you defended your work (meaning you examined it from all angles and reasons, good general knowledge in your field of study, etc etc) they can confer upon youa PhD. Once again this can vary a little. It is not unheard of to fail your defense nor is it unheard of to go through your defense multiple times. To get a MD it is a little differnt. You get a HS diploma, undergrad Diploma. Then you complete the MCATS (ACT or SAT's for med school) then hopfully get accepted. 4 years later (no summer breaks other then year 1) you are conferred the M.D. After this you specilize, which depending on what you do can take many more years. hope this helps. I was on this track but changed due to finding the business world much much more fun and much less schooling involved.

Answer 3

US: Undergraduate college, high GPA, MCAT grades, admission to postgraduate medical college. Then sit for COMLEX or USMLE medical licensure exams (depending on if you take the D.O. or M.D. route) to practice. Time spent in school is usually four years undergraduate (some students manage to get it done in 3), 4 years of medical school (or more outside of the United States), and 3+ years of residency depending on medical specialty.

UK: Undergraduate medical course leading to a MBBS or MB ChB. Total time=5 years.

Answer 4

A good scientific one preferably with good science and maths GCSE's and good science A levels