It takes a lot of time and effort to become an internal medicine doctor. The majority of these doctors, also known as internists, have completed medical school and an internal medicine residency program. Many of these doctors go beyond the basic internal medicine residency and pursue a subspecialty in cardiology, gastroenterology, or geriatric medicine after completing their initial residency.
It is possible to start studying to become an internal medicine doctor as early as high school. Students are encouraged to get good grades and to concentrate on math and science studies in particular. If at all possible, students should take Calculus, preferably in an Advanced Placement class, as well as biology and chemistry. Good grades can help students gain admission to a good four-year university, where they can continue on this path.
Medical schools prefer students who major in a variety of subjects in college. Pre-med is probably the most popular, but chemistry, biology, microbiology, and biochemistry are also viable options. Each of these majors can assist students in preparing for the MCAT, which is required for admission to many medical schools. Early in their senior year, students take the MCAT and use their scores, along with good grades, to secure a spot in a medical school program. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, combine bachelor’s degree studies with medical school.
Medical school consists of three years of study and a final year of internship, culminating in licensing once all requirements have been met. At this point, a person who wants to become an internal medicine doctor does not stop studying. Instead, he or she will apply for residencies during their internship year or final year of medical school to specialize in internist training.
As previously stated, these residencies are typically three years in length, but they can be significantly extended if a doctor wishes to pursue an internal medicine subspecialty. There are numerous subspecialties to choose from. People in the United States, for example, may specialize in cardiology, pulmonology, critical care, medical oncology, endocrinology, infectious diseases, infectiology, or other fields. Additional residencies or fellowships will vary in length depending on the areas studied, and an internal medicine doctor does not have to complete a specialty, though it may be more lucrative to do so.
Those interested in becoming an internal medicine doctor can expect to spend at least 11 years in training, starting with their freshman year of college. If a subspecialty is chosen, the training period may be extended by several years. The total amount of time required depends not only on specialization, but also on the training methods used in each region and the requirements of the local medical board.