Should I become a doctor?
Think about what kind of future appeals to you. Do you like
challenges? Are you interested in science and how the body works? Do you care
deeply about other people, their problems, and their pain? Are you a good
listener? Do you enjoy learning? Are you intrigued by the ways medicine can be
used to improve life?
If you answered “Yes” to most of these questions, chances are
you have the right personality for a career in medicine. Talk to career
counselor or pre-health advisor to learn more about if this is the right choice
for you.
What is a doctor’s job like?
Physicians diagnose and care for people of all ages who are ill
or have been injured. They take medical histories, perform physical
examinations, conduct diagnostic tests, recommend and provide treatment, and
advise patients on their overall health and well-being. While there are several
different types of physicians, they can usually be divided into three broad
categories:
- Primary care physicians are the doctors
patient usually visit most frequently. They treat a wide range of
illnesses and regularly provide preventive care, and they also enjoy
long-term relationships with their patients. Pediatricians, family
practitioners and general internists are primary care physicians.
- Surgeons perform operations to treat
diseases and repair injuries.
- Specialists have expertise related to
specific diseases as well as body parts, organs, and systems.
Cardiologists, Oncologists, Neurologists, and ophthalmologists are
examples of specialists. The AAMC’s Careers in Medicine website contains
information about various specialties in medicine.
How much education does it take to become a doctor?
Becoming a doctor requires a serious educational commitment. It
typically takes from 11 to 16 years to complete your education, including four
years of college (undergraduate school), four years of medical school and
anywhere from three to eight years of training in a specific specialty area
(residency training), depending on which specialty you choose to pursue. In
order to maintain a medical license, doctors are also required to continue
taking courses and learning about advancements in their field throughout their
career.
What is the lifestyle and salary like?
While salaries for physicians are among the highest for all
occupations, the work hours can be long and unpredictable. Many doctors work
more than 60 hours a week. They may also have to respond to emergencies and be
on call for their patients. Work hours vary depending on the type, size and location
of practice.
Wages for physicians and surgeons are among the
highest of all occupations. According to the Medical Group Management
Association’s Physician Compensation and Production Survey, median total
compensation for physicians varies with their type of practice. In 2014,
physicians practicing primary care received total median annual compensation of
$241,273 and physicians practicing in medical specialties received total median
annual compensation of $411,852.
Median
annual compensation for selected specialties in 2014, as reported by the Medical Group
Management Association, was as follows:
|
Anesthesiology
|
$443,859
|
|
General surgery
|
395,456
|
|
Obstetrics/gynecology
|
317,496
|
|
Psychiatry
|
245,673
|
|
Internal Medicine
|
238,227
|
|
Pediatrics
|
226,408
|
|
Family Medicine (without Obstetrics)
|
221,419
|
Earnings vary with the physician’s or surgeon’s number of years
in practice, geographic region of practice, hours worked, skill, personality,
and professional reputation.
Many physicians and surgeons work long, irregular, and overnight
hours. Physicians and surgeons may travel between their offices and hospitals
to care for their patients. While on call, a physician may need to address a
patient’s concerns over the phone or make an emergency visit to a hospital or
nursing home.
Admission Requirements for Medical School
Medical school admission
requirements vary from school to school. In general, before applying to medical
school, students should complete the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®),
and demonstrate that they can handle rigorous coursework.
Some
schools require applicants to complete a certain list of premedical course
requirements while others have moved to a competency-based admissions. At a
minimum, students will likely complete the following types of courses:
- One year of biology
- One year of physics
- One year of English
- Two years of chemistry (through
organic chemistry)
To find school-specific requirements for each
U.S. and Canadian medical school, see the Medical School
Admission Requirement website
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