What Do I Need to Become an Orthopedic Surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon specializes in treating muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons, joints and nerves. Through surgery or physical treatment they help to correct problems due to injury or disease in the central nervous system and spend a lot of time in surgery. They are usually in charge of supervising physician assistants, medical students and orthopedic residents.
If you are interested in becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon, you will look forward to many years of studying and hard work.
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Skills Required
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An orthopedic surgeon is required to work long hours and make sound decisions under pressure. He needs to study and have a thorough understanding of medical technologies, medical ethics, pharmacology and physiology. A particular interest in musculoskeletal health is essential as well as being mechanically dexterous.
Bachelor's Degree
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A bachelor's degree in biology or pre-medicine is generally needed before enrolling into medical school. Although most medical schools require three years of undergraduate education, most students enroll with a bachelor's degree. Premed students must take courses in biology, physics and chemistry, which helps students prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is typically required to get into medical school.
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Medical School
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Once a student receives a bachelor's degree and passes the MCAT test, they can enroll into a four-year medical school. The first two years are spent in a classrooms and laboratories where students study medical science, receiving instruction in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology and pharmacology. The last two years involve doing clinical rotations where students learn how to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Graduates must them pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam.
Complete a Residency
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New medical students must complete a one-year general surgery internship, then continue on to a four-year orthopedic surgery residency.
Board Certification
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After residency, an orthopedic surgeon has the option to earn board certification from the American Board Of Medical Specialists (ABMS) or a certification from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Certification is optional, but it shows that the surgeon has received adequate training in that field.
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References
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