Working in healthcare and medicine can be extremely rewarding, beneficial to both you and the people you provide services to. Before aspiring for a career in a medical field, though, make certain that it is really what you want to do. Ask yourself a few questions.
- Do I care to help other people with their pain and other problems?
- Do I want to utilize my skills and abilities to help the common good?
- Do I enjoy learning new things in a profession that changes constantly?
- Am I interested in learning about medicine and how it can be used to better one’s life?
If you answered yes to these questions, then chances are good that you really do want to journey into the medical field.
However, the thought of medical school is discouraging to some as they hear it is a long, challenging venture that is really tough to get through. Medical school is tough.
It has to be if they are teaching you the knowledge to take care of the health of fellow human beings. There are, however, other options you can take, such as nursing, medical technology, radiology, and the like.
The courses of study have changed a great deal at medical schools in recent years. However, the general outlook on what you will be studying remains virtually the same.
Biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, pathology and microbiology are some of the basic sciences that will be studied.
Along with these you will also study a few behavioral sciences. Through the course of your study, you will gain the knowledge needed to examine patients and take a medical history.
After some time, you will be placed in a hospital setting where you can observe and work alongside of experienced medical and clinical professionals. At this point, you will begin to explore the various professions involved with medicine, professions like internal medicine, surgery, family practices, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry and gynecology.
You also begin to take care of patients during this time. The last portion of medical school or a related program will be spent by continuing to work and study in a clinical environment while keeping in contact with patients and doctors. While doing this, you will simply just take elective courses at school.
After graduates have successfully completed medical school, one usually spends around three to seven years at a residency.
This is to further your knowledge, training and experience in the particular profession you have chosen to follow. This would also help you hone your skills and knowledge in the specialization you have chosen.
When you start medical school you may already know exactly what you want to do, but it would be a good idea to keep your mind open to other things until your third year of medical school because you may decide to change to a different profession, or you might want to study for certain specializations.
Medical schools all vary in how they set up their educational programs but they must adhere to the MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements.