How To Be A Doctor: An 8-Step Guide

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Becoming a doctor can be fulfilling if you're looking to pursue a career in healthcare, not to mention that it's one of the noblest professions worldwide. However, it requires utmost dedication and willpower. The process is time-consuming and necessitates patience and hard work. To become a doctor, expect to undergo several years of medical training. 

The requirements for becoming a doctor differ depending on your area of specialty. In most cases, aspiring doctors must finish a four-year degree program, then spend four years in med school and three to seven more years in residency training before obtaining a license. Licenses may include optometry courses like these.

Here's a step-by-step guide to becoming a doctor:

Complete An Undergraduate Degree

Getting into medical school in the US requires an undergraduate degree in a science-related field, such as biology or chemistry.

Additionally, it'd help if you leveraged resources such as Case Western medical entrance guide to learn about all the steps you need to take. Entrance guides come in handy if you want to increase your chances of getting accepted into your dream school.

Also, you can engage in volunteer or extracurricular activities to boost your med school application. Such undertakings serve as proof of your practical experience.

Take And Pass The MCAT 

After completing your undergraduate degree, you must take the Medical College Admission Test. It's a multiple-choice examination evaluating your critical thinking and problem-solving skills and scientific knowledge, among others, to assess your probability of succeeding in the medical program.

The MCAT is usually divided into four sections. They include:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior 

• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills 

Each section is scored in the range of 118-132. Passing marks vary from one school to another, but a good average score is 511. 

Enroll In A Medical School

You can start applying to the med school of your choice in the summer after your senior year in college. Once you get accepted, prepare for four years of learning and training programs. 

The first two years of medical school are usually spent inside classrooms and laboratories. You'll take classes in basic sciences, like pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, and anatomy, and also learn the essentials of patient examination and interviewing, among other things.

You'll be required to gain practical experience in the last two years of medical school by rotating through hospitals and clinics. Throughout this period, you'll assist residents in various specializations, allowing you to learn crucial skills while working in the emergency room and other areas.

Pass Parts 1 & 2 Of The USMLE

The first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is taken at the end of the second year of med school and administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).

The first part of the examination assesses your knowledge of principles in the fields of pathology, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, and behavioral science. This part also evaluates your knowledge in areas such as nutrition, genetics, and immunology.  

You can take the second part of the USMLE in your fourth year of medical school. It assesses your ability to apply medical skills and knowledge in real-life settings. 

Choose Your Specialty And Complete Your Residency

Residency refers to medical training in your chosen specialty, which involves providing patient care. This is undertaken after completing medical school. The first year is also called an internship; one only becomes a resident after completing this stage. Most doctors complete their residency after three to seven years, depending on their specialty.

Pass Part 3 Of The USMLE

Part three of the USMLE is taken after the first year of a residency program and comprises computer simulations of patient care and multiple-choice questions. It assesses the doctor's ability to practice medicine effectively and safely sans any supervision, focusing on patient diagnosis and treatment.

Get Board Certification

Twenty-four member boards certify doctors in different fields, and you must complete any of their accredited residency programs to sit for a certification exam. The said exam is computer-based and taken in the final year of your residency. Specialties include neurological surgery, geriatric medicine, medical toxicology, forensic psychiatry, and spinal code injury medicine. 

Obtain A State License

Licensing process starts when you pass all three USMLE tests. To practice medicine legally, you must obtain a medical license from your state after completing your residency and board certification exam. The prerequisite of state licensing varies depending on the state you wish to practice medicine. It usually takes around 60 days to get a license.

Conclusion

Becoming a doctor requires hard work and patience, as it's time-consuming. However, taking the above steps one at a time will help you manage and succeed in the long run. Through this guide, you'll be on your way to an illustrious medical career.

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