| A career as a physician is not only challenging and | | | | school, you will need to submit a copy of your college |
| rewarding, it is a lifestyle. The training requirements to | | | | or grad school transcript, letters of recommendation, |
| become a physician are demanding and require many | | | | and your scores from the Medical College Admission |
| years of education. Physicians work long hours and | | | | Test (MCAT). By submitting your application through |
| spend most to their time walking or on their feet. | | | | the American College Medical Application Service, one |
| There are many types of physician careers, as they all | | | | application canl be submitted to multiple medical |
| do not work directly with patients. Some physicians | | | | schools. |
| are involved in research, while others have chosen to | | | | Once you are in med school, you will spend the next |
| teach, be administrators, or advisors. There are also | | | | four years studying basic science and doing clinical |
| many specialties physicians may choose to pursue; | | | | rotations, which is hands on learning in a real healthcare |
| such as internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine. | | | | setting most commonly a hospital. The first two years |
| Other choices when looking for a career as a | | | | are in classroom study and the third year clinical |
| physician are dentistry, psychiatry, anesthesiology, | | | | rotation is introduced. Some medical schools are |
| surgery, and more. | | | | starting to introduce hands on medical care earlier in |
| A physician that practices general or family medicine is | | | | the curriculum and throughout the four-year program. |
| usually the first type of physician patients see when | | | | After successfully completing your four years of med |
| they have an illness or injury. Physicians diagnose, | | | | school, you will have earned your M.D. or medical |
| administer treatments, order and review lab, x-ray and | | | | degree. The next step is to complete a one year |
| other tests, prescribe medications, council patients | | | | internship. After completing the internship, you may |
| about preventative healthcare, and refer patients to | | | | practice general medicine. At this point, you can |
| specialists when needed. | | | | choose a specialty and do your residency program. |
| Physicians may work in hospitals, clinics, group | | | | Depending on the specialty you chose, your residency |
| practices, ambulatory settings, urgent care centers, | | | | may last from three to eight or more years. |
| labs, in small or private practices. The career choices | | | | Prior to practicing medicine, you must complete a three |
| of a physician are almost endless. | | | | step medical exam known as the USMLE or United |
| The minimal educational requirements for entry into | | | | Stated Medical Licensure Examination. There are also |
| medical school, is three years of college, but a | | | | additional testing such as boards, and licensing |
| bachelors degree is preferred. To apply to medical | | | | requirements for various specialties. |