In most countries, becoming a doctor is a long, difficult process that necessitates a great deal of commitment and skill. While international education models differ, most require students to study for between five and eight years before receiving a medical degree. Medical students are typically not allowed to practice medicine independently after graduation unless they have completed specific residency requirements that lead to governing body licensure. Further specialization may necessitate two to three additional years of residency, resulting in a total training period of seven to fourteen years.
Medical school preparation usually begins in high school. Students must have strong backgrounds in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics to be accepted into most medical schools. Students are typically admitted to a five- or six-year undergraduate medical degree program after high school in the European medical education model. In contrast, the American model treats medical school as a graduate program. Students must complete a three- or four-year undergraduate program before applying to medical school under this standard.
Some medical education authorities, such as those in India and Japan, use a qualifying exam exclusively to determine eligibility, regardless of academic background. Others, such as those in Europe and North America, combine prior academic achievement, qualifying exam results, essays, interviews, and letters of recommendation to determine whether a student is a good candidate for medical school. The application process is lengthy, detailed, and difficult in either case.
Students typically complete four to six years of theoretical and clinical training after entering medical school. The first two years of school are usually spent studying gross anatomy, physiology, and pathology theoretically. Later years are spent in clinical settings, where students can observe experienced doctors at work and get some hands-on experience in a safe setting.
Students receive a medical degree and the title of doctor upon graduation, but they must be licensed before practicing medicine legally. This usually entails an internship followed by a two- or three-year residency for general practitioners and family physicians. A longer residency for a more specialized doctor may be required, ranging from four years for pediatricians and general surgeons to six years for neurosurgeons and cardiac surgeons.
Many students must finance their education by accumulating personal debt in addition to the time commitment and academic effort. While some countries provide free post-secondary education to all citizens, the majority of developed countries do not. As a result, it is not uncommon for a new doctor to start practicing while still pursuing his or her medical degree. All things considered, becoming a doctor is a long and difficult process, but for many people, the personal and financial sacrifices are well worth it in exchange for a rewarding career.