Physicians and Surgeons

Education Needed

• Though we often refer to Physicians and Surgeons as simply “doctors,” the term doctor can technically apply to anyone holding a doctorate-level degree, including non-medical majors
  • In other words, all Physicians and Surgeons are doctors, but not all doctors are Physicians and Surgeons!
• Physicians and Surgeons must complete extensive education and training requirements, starting with a bachelor’s then working towards their Medical Doctor (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) at a medical school program
• Bachelor degree majors vary, but nearly half of students major in biology to help meet med school prerequisites and to have a more competitive application
  • Common undergrad courses may include anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, biology, biology labs, calculus, genetics, and organic chemistry

Medical School

• Many medical schools feature combined undergraduate and medical programs which can make the educational route smoother
• Students should also expect multi-year internships and post-graduate residencies, with sub-specializations fellowships requiring 1-3 years of further training
  • St. George’s University features an Ultimate List of Medical Specialties and Subspecialties to help understand the options
• Med school hopefuls must take and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and submit results along with their program applications
  • Notoriously challenging, the MCAT is a critical element of a successful application. The test is multiple-choice and designed to assess “problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine”
• Med school applications consider undergraduate coursework, GPA, MCAT scores, personality and leadership, and extracurricular activities involvement. There’s also usually a formal interview
• Med school programs are broken into two main phases—the first features academics, labs, classroom activities, plus some practical skills development. The second involves consulting with patients at clinics and hospitals under supervised conditions

Residencies

• After graduation, learners will complete residency programs at a clinic or hospital, to develop deeper knowledge and experience in their specialty. Residencies may last from 3-9 years

Fellowships

• Subspecializations involve completing fellowship training which can take 1-3 more years

Licensure and Board Certification

• Physicians and Surgeons must apply for state licensure, with requirements differing from state to state
• Physicians are either Medical Doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). Most Primary Care Physicians are DOs
• General requirements include passing a national exam
  • MDs must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
  • DOs must pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA)
• Doctors can obtain optional board certifications in their specialty to boost their credentials. Certifying boards include:
  • American Board of Medical Specialties
  • American Board of Physician Specialties
  • American Osteopathic Association

• Medical schools are tough to get into, so you need to be very well-prepared! That includes knocking out your bachelor’s in a relevant major while maintaining a strong GPA
• Look for undergrad programs that are accredited and feature the rigorous foundational coursework you’ll need to succeed at med school
• Review faculty bios and awards; see what types of facilities and modern equipment the program utilizes; check out their research and their internship partners; learn about graduation rates and job placement stats; and peek at the accomplishments of the alumni network!
• Other general considerations include tuition costs (in-state/out-of-state rates), discounts, scholarships, and course delivery options (on-campus, online, or hybrid program)

• Participate in school activities where you can hone your soft skills and gain leadership experience 
• Take college prep classes in high school, including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, math, physics, calculus, statistics, English composition, psychology, and communications. Study hard to earn good grades so you can get accepted into a suitable undergrad program
• Choose your undergraduate major wisely. The most common for Physicians and Surgeons is biology, but some students major in medicine, physical science, or other fields
• Plan far ahead by looking at those med school requirements early on! Find out about internships, residencies, and fellowships
  • The key is ensuring you have a solid foundation for medical school with all prerequisites completed
• Think hard about the format you want to take classes in. Some classes may be fine for online study, but others will need to be done in-person or hybrid
• Apply for pre-med jobs like home health aide, medical scribe, phlebotomist, or certified nursing assistant
• Join medical student organizations to make friends, learn from each other, and stay motivated for the long journey! Popular options include:
  • Association of American Medical Colleges-OSR
  • American Medical Association 
  • American Medical Student Association 
  • Student National Medical Association 
• Keep a list of contacts (including phone numbers or emails) who might serve as future job references 
• Read or watch interviews with different types of doctors to learn about their various daily duties
• Check out medical journal articles and video tutorials about Physician and Surgeon specialities and subspecialties
• Consider if you want to work in research positions or with patients 
• Keep a working draft your resume and CV
• Learn about the specific licensure requirements for the state you plan to work in
• Stay out of trouble so you can pass a criminal background check if required for licensure in your state
• Develop a workout schedule so you can stay in shape and manage stress
• Practice your interview skills before applying to medical school
• Study hard for the MCAT with prep books and online prep courses and materials