How to Become a Doctor Specializing in AIDS
There are a number of different specialties that doctors can choose from when they are in medical school. One growing area is the specialization in HIV and AIDS as it becomes a more dominant and devastating disease. To become a specialist in AIDS, certain educational and career moves need to be taken.
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Instructions
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Get your undergraduate degree. Attend a college or university majoring in pre-medicine or life sciences. These are the two most common majors among students applying to medical school, although any type of science major is usually acceptable.
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Take the MCAT and apply to medical school. The MCAT is the Medical College Admission Test. Just as you had to take the ACT or SAT to get into college, you must take the MCAT to get into medical school (see Resources below). Once you have the results of your score, you can begin applying to the medical schools of your choice.
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Specialize in internal medicine. Although the goal is to work with AIDS patients, you must first get your specialty in internal medicine. This generally requires 4 years of medical school followed by 3 years of residency in which you work in a healthcare facility such as a hospital or physician's office. When seeking placement for your residency, try to get placed in an AIDS clinic or hospital as this will provide you with the opportunity to get a jump start on learning about the treatment and care of AIDS patients.
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Take on additional training. After completing your internal medicine degree, proceed with training in infectious diseases, since AIDS is considered to be such a disease. This training generally lasts for 2 to 3 years and mostly consists of practical experience working with patients in the field.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider joining the Infectious Diseases Society of America once you have completed your 2 to 3 years of additional training (see Resources below).
Due to the competitiveness of medical school admissions, you should apply to more than one school.
