How Long Does It Take to Become an Established Doctor?
Doctors treat various illnesses and ensure the overall health of their patients. The average doctor spends a minimum of 11 years in training. Specialists can require as much as eight additional years of education and hands-on work.
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Education
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Doctors must complete two basic levels of education: a four-year bachelor's degree, followed by four years of medical school. The first two years of medical school are spent in the classroom and lab, and the last two usually involve more hands-on work in clinical rotations.
Residency
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After completion of an undergraduate program and medical school, prospective doctors must complete three years of residency in a hospital or clinic. Residencies are paid positions and students must pass a test to begin. Students who want to specialize require an additional fellowship or internship, which usually lasts one to three years.
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Final Steps
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All doctors must take and pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) to become licensed. Upon completion of these requirements, a doctor may begin to establish himself in his community by opening a private practice or working at a local hospital. Establishing a steady base of patients is largely a matter of time and word-of-mouth referral and take several years depending on the location.
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References
- Photo Credit Doctor image by Monika 3 Steps Ahead from Fotolia.com
