Patients with a variety of ailments see primary care physicians for initial diagnoses and treatment. They are frequently the first medical professionals that patients seek when they have health issues. A person who wishes to pursue a career as a primary care physician must be willing to devote time and money to completing extensive educational requirements, internships, and residencies. To become a primary care doctor and begin practicing independently, it typically takes 11 to 15 years of college, practical training, and supervised work.
Advanced science and health classes can help a high school student who wants to go to medical school prepare for college. The principles of medicine and the nature of the human body are taught in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition classes. In their senior year of high school, many students begin applying to undergraduate universities, focusing on those with the best premedical programs.
A prospective physician usually takes many courses related to health and human physiology once enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program. To gain experience and improve his or her resume, he or she might look for paid or volunteer work at a hospital. A student usually begins researching medical schools near the end of a bachelor’s degree program and takes the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Admission to an accredited medical school can be difficult, as many hopeful doctors compete for a limited number of spots. Students with the best academic records, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, and clinical experience are usually chosen.
Typically, medical school lasts four years, during which time a student receives extensive classroom and practical training. To learn about the causes and effects of various diseases, a prospective doctor usually takes advanced health, chemistry, biology, and medicine courses. In laboratories and clinical settings, he or she receives hands-on training, gaining experience examining patients and diagnosing conditions.
A graduate of medical school receives a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and is eligible to begin an internship at a hospital. After graduation, a new doctor usually works as an intern for at least a year. The physician then enters a two- to six-year residency, during which time he or she can practice under the supervision and guidance of trained doctors and residency leaders. A person who is willing to go through all of the necessary education and training to become a primary care physician is often rewarded with a rewarding, well-paying career in medicine.