Becoming a doctor is a goal for many students, but it takes a lot of work and training to prepare for a career as a physician. The medical field can be rewarding, engaging, and uniquely challenging, which are some of the main reasons that people gravitate toward the profession. It’s understandable if you don’t know much yet about what specialty you prefer or what type of educational background you need, but it’s important that you start getting ready as soon as you can. If you’re considering a career as a physician, read on to find out exactly how to become a doctor.
How Can You Become A Doctor?
Thinking about what type of doctor you want to be is a good place to start, as it will help you plan out the rest of your academic career. You can start by researching different specialties, like nephrology or cardiology, and find out what interests you most. Many aspiring doctors choose to become general physician/practitioner as it can be very rewarding and versatile. It also allows you to work in many different countries, for example Australia, a very popular destination. Having said that, as an overseas trained doctor, you will need to have a 19AB exemption to work in Australia. Different countries have different rules, so you best do some research before deciding on your chosen destination. Research doctors who are successful in the field you like and how they got where they are. If cardiological care is what interests you, you could look up the best cardiologists in Los Angeles to find out more about their pre-professional background. If you aren’t sure what you want to do, it’s not a bad idea to focus on in-demand specialties like cardiology, where you’re likely to have more opportunities and better job security.
If you want to become a doctor, the first thing you’ll need to do is complete your education. For high school students, that means doing everything you can to get into a top undergraduate program. College students will have to endure a similar process when applying to medical school. Anyone who has their heart set on an elite university should consider investing in Ivy League counseling. A professional admissions counselor with years of experience can help you make yourself the most competitive possible applicant for your dream school.
After you finish medical school, your path depends on what type of doctor you intend to become. Most doctors have to complete residency after medical school, the length of which varies depending on your practice area. Some disciplines also require one or more fellowships prior to being permitted to practice independently.
This journey is not a one-size-fits-all process; it’s as diverse and unique as the medical specialties available to you. Your course of action may diverge, focusing on aspects of medicine tailored to the care and treatment approach of the specific medical field you aspire to be a part of.
An essential step that factors into this complex journey, particularly for those intending to practice in the United States, involves the completion of specific licensure examinations. One such examination, which becomes crucial if you lean towards osteopathic medicine, is the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) Level 3. This test is a significant milestone in the medical profession, serving as a testament to a doctor’s preparedness for independent practice.
To be eligible for the COMLEX Level 3, candidates must have graduated from an accredited college of osteopathic medicine and completed the COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE), and Level 2-Performance Evaluation (PE) exams. It is typically taken during the first year of residency.
To give you a better idea of the timeline, becoming a doctor can take 11 to 16 years from the start of your undergraduate studies, depending on your chosen specialty. This includes four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, 3 to 8 years in residency, and additional years for a fellowship if you want to specialize further.
What Should You Know About Working In Medicine?
One thing that any medical professional can tell you is that it isn’t easy to be in the field. Becoming a doctor often involves a demanding schedule, challenging cases, and high-stress work, which can take a toll on your overall health and wellness. Sleep deprivation is a common issue among health care workers. Given that lack of sleep can cause a wide range of negative side effects, including memory problems and decreased fine motor skills, you need to make time for a good night’s sleep.
The stress associated with the medical profession can also be detrimental to your mental health. One article suggests that as many as 29 percent of doctors live with depression. Being a good physician means that you need to be proactive about caring for your mental health. If you find yourself struggling with your mental health, or you have a diagnosed mental health condition, seeking treatment is essential if you want to feel your best and provide the best possible outcomes for your patients.
As you can see, becoming a doctor can be an involved and complicated process. However, this is necessary considering that the work doctors do on a day-to-day basis is both difficult and detail-oriented. After you complete your undergraduate degree and finish medical school, you’ll still likely need years of residency and fellowship training before you’re able to practice on your own as a physician. There’s no denying that the educational requirements are strict, but the hard work is well worth it if your dream is to become a doctor.
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