Otolaryngologists, also known as ENT doctors, study and treat diseases of the head, neck, ears, and throat. Some ENT doctors specialize in specific areas or subspecialties, such as cosmetic surgery, allergy treatment, or cleft lip and palate repair. Others may specialize in oncology, otology, or reconstructive surgery. To become an ENT doctor, you may need up to 15 years of education. A four-year undergraduate degree is usually followed by four years of medical school, five years of specialized training, and, in some cases, a one- or two-year fellowship.
Those interested in becoming an ENT doctor must first earn a bachelor’s degree. Students usually take science or premedical courses and then go on to get a degree in a science-related field. After four years of undergraduate study, applicants to medical schools can begin applying.
A student typically needs sufficient scores on entrance exams, letters of recommendation from former professors, and evidence of successful undergraduate studies in order to gain admission to medical school. Medical school is typically four years long and focuses on the fundamentals of medicine. Those wishing to pursue a career as an ENT doctor must typically complete residency training after graduating from medical school.
Residency training for ENT doctors usually lasts four to seven years. Those who want to work in a subspecialty field may have their residency training extended. Pediatric, reconstructive, allergy, and rhinology are some of the subspecialties of otolaryngology. ENT doctors must usually pass a series of licensing exams after completing their residency.
To practice medicine in the United States, all physicians must pass the US medical licensing examination. Otolaryngologists must also pass an examination administered by the American Board of Otolaryngology. In order to practice medicine in another country, US physicians must typically pass a licensing exam administered by the country in question. The same is generally true for doctors who are relocating to the United States from other countries.
In many other countries, the training requirements for becoming an ENT doctor are usually similar. Medical education in India, Europe, and China is very similar to medical education in the United States. Most countries will require between 12 and 15 years to complete their education, and students should expect rigorous training in a competitive environment. Many ENT doctors participate in continuing education by collaborating with other doctors on research and attending academic conferences.