most common doctor specialties :: Article CreatorHow To Become A Doctor: A Step-by-Step Guide
Becoming a doctor demands tremendous patience, personal sacrifice and years of rigorous training. It also takes meticulous planning, experts say…
Becoming a doctor demands tremendous patience, personal sacrifice and years of rigorous training. It also takes meticulous planning, experts say — it's crucial to map your path and succeed at every step on the way to this high-stakes career.
Each rung of the ladder is cumulative and depends on the successes of the steps prior, says Dr. Alvin Bisarya, vice president of pre-health programs at Kaplan.
By the time you apply to medical school, "if you haven't crafted a great personal journey (and) understand why you want to do medicine, you're not going to write the most compelling personal statement on your application," Bisarya says.
Here's a list of steps to enter the U.S. Medical profession.
1. Explore your options.
2. Complete premed requirements.
3. Join worthwhile extracurricular activities.
4. Study for the MCAT and other required tests.
5. Complete medical school applications.
6. Prepare for and shine in medical school interviews.
7. Get accepted and pick a school that's right for you.
8. Pass the first two sections of the USMLE or COMLEX-USA.
9. Match with a residency program.
10. Graduate from medical school.
11. Start your residency and earn a general medical license.
12. Earn board certification in your medical specialty.
Step 1: Explore Your Options
Take challenging science courses in college and undertake clinical work or volunteering in a hospital during your undergrad years to figure out whether you're a good fit for a career in medicine.
Learn as much as you can about the profession and do informational interviews with doctors, if possible. Make sure you're ready to commit to rigorous studies — both classwork and prep for admission and licensure exams. You'll be embarking on a journey that generally lasts at least seven years with medical school and residency.
If you succeed, you'll enter a lucrative field with an average annual salary approaching a quarter of a million dollars, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Step 2: Complete Premed Requirements
Medical schools have many academic prerequisites, so experts recommend consulting your college's premed adviser as early as possible to make sure you're on track.
You should also review the Medical School Admission Requirements — or MSAR — to make sure you have completed all prerequisites, says Dr. Megan Osborn, senior associate dean and vice chair of education at the University of California–Irvine School of Medicine.
If you've discovered your passion for medicine after undergrad, or you need to boost your GPA or prerequisite credits for medical school, consider a post-baccalaureate premed program.
Step 3: Join Worthwhile Extracurricular Activities
Before you start volunteering, get your bearings as a student and make sure you're positioned to succeed academically, Osborn advises.
Choose volunteer roles and extracurriculars that genuinely interest you and show med school admissions teams that you're a well-rounded student who will be a good fit with their program.
It helps to have some health care-focused extracurriculars, such as volunteering at a hospital or doctor shadowing, experts say. You may also consider taking a gap year before starting med school to bolster your clinical or research experience and for personal and professional growth.
[READ: How to Maximize a Gap Year Before Medical School]
Bisarya says extracurriculars should help you find your "why" for medical school — what drives your passion for medicine. That's something admissions officers pay close attention to.
"It's a hard journey," he says, "and more rewarding the more thoughtful you are about the 'why' at every step."
Step 4: Study for the MCAT and Other Required Tests
The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, is a key factor in med school admissions and it's critical to perform well on the exam. Most students take the MCAT toward the end of their junior year of undergrad, and spend four to six months preparing.
You should research the median MCAT scores at your target schools so that you can set a goal for your practice exams, experts say.
Med schools may also require a situational judgment test. A handful require the PREview Professional Readiness Exam and more than 50 require the Casper.
Step 5: Complete Medical School Applications
Because medical school acceptance rates are low — often in the single digits — you should apply to multiple schools, experts say.
Allow plenty of time to carefully craft a compelling personal statement that shows your character and empathy, determination to overcome challenges, and the experiences that have led you to commit to medicine. You'll also need to devote significant time to school-specific secondary application essays and to getting your letters of recommendation.
Many schools have a list on their website of desired or essential characteristics for medical students who will fit their mission, and keeping those in mind when writing a personal statement can set you up for success, says Dr. Jeffrey Chipman, senior associate dean of undergraduate medical education at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Step 6: Prepare for and Shine in Medical School Interviews
Most medical schools conduct their interviews virtually or have a virtual option, Osborn says. Still, it's important to dress professionally, prepare thoroughly and treat it like a job interview.
Interview formats vary. Schools may use one-on-one interviews, panel interviews in which a group interviews a single applicant, or group interviews to assess the problem-solving and interpersonal skills of multiple applicants.
Experts say schools are also increasingly using the multiple mini interview, or MMI, where applicants rotate between six to 10 interview stations. At each station, a different interviewer focuses on a different question or scenario. The MMI is designed to "measure competencies like oral communication, social and nonverbal skills, and teamwork," according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Admissions committees "review academics, extracurriculars, research, clinical exposure, they review the interviews, they review the letters of recommendation, as well as consideration of things like students who have had impactful experiences that have affected their ability to have educational experiences or health care experiences," Osborn says.
For example, if you had to work a full-time job during college, they might put less weight on your GPA and more on community involvement.
[Read: How Hard Is Medical School and What Is the Med School Curriculum?]
Step 7: Get Accepted and Pick a School That's Right for You
For physicians, there are two types of degrees: an M.D., or doctor of medicine, and a D.O., or doctor of osteopathic medicine.
M.D.-granting institutions are called allopathic medical schools and teach a traditional medical curriculum, while D.O.-granting institutions, called osteopathic medical schools, incorporate touch-based diagnosis and treatment techniques. Both M.D. And D.O. Programs start with classroom teaching of medical science courses and move on to training in clinical rotations.
Whether your focus is allopathic or osteopathic medicine, you can attend a med school that primarily focuses on either research or primary care. As you think about the school that's right for you, you may also consider its research opportunities, the quality and location of its clinical rotations, financial aid packages, success in residency matches and cultural factors such as mentorship and collaboration.
Step 8: Pass the First Two Sections of USMLE or COMLEX-USA
Allopathic and osteopathic medical students at U.S. Med schools generally take two of the three parts of their national licensing examinations during medical school. The third part is taken during residency.
M.D. Students take the United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE, while D.O. Students take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States, or COMLEX-USA. D.O. Students may choose to take both exams.
Experts say good preparation typically includes review materials, question banks, practice exams and test prep courses.
Step 9: Match With a Residency Program
Most fourth-year medical students try to match with a residency program in their preferred specialty through the National Resident Matching Program, and competition for slots is intense.
The NRMP is "an orderly and fair mechanism for matching the preferences of applicants for U.S. Residency positions with the preferences of residency program directors," according to the American Medical Association.
The better you score on your medical licensing exams, the easier it will be to achieve your desired residency match, experts say.
[Read: Is Medical School Right for You?]
Step 10: Graduate From Medical School
Once you've earned a medical degree and graduated from medical school, you're officially a doctor.
But to practice medicine independently, you'll still need to complete your residency training program and pass the third part of your licensing exam. You may then apply for board certification.
Step 11: Start Your Residency and Earn a General Medical License
Residency lengths vary among specialties, but most are between three and seven years.
"Residency helps you identify whether that's really the culture you want to have for your career, and it helps you become part of the culture, so that you can apply your experience and knowledge and have the mentors you need to guide you," Chipman says.
In your first year of residency, you'll take the last part of the USMLE or the COMLEX-USA, making you eligible for a general medical license.
Residents who want to develop further expertise in a particular area of medicine, like critical care, oncology or cardiology, may choose to pursue a clinical or research fellowship in that field.
Step 12: Earn Board Certification in Your Medical Specialty
When you've finished your residency training and passed your board exams, you are eligible to apply for board certification.
Board certification isn't required to practice medicine, but experts say it signifies a doctor's completion of rigorous training and assessment, expertise in their specialty and a commitment to high standards.
The main certifying body in the U.S. Is the American Board of Medical Specialties, which represents 24 member boards certifying nearly 1 million active physicians in 40 specialties and 89 subspecialties. The American Osteopathic Association offers board certification in 27 specialties and 48 subspecialties.
More from U.S. News
What to Do Between Medical School Acceptance and Starting Classes
Common Mistakes Premeds Make When Reflecting on Community Service
The Medical School Admissions Cycle: A Month-by-Month Guide
How to Become a Doctor: A Step-by-Step Guide originally appeared on usnews.Com
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AFib Is 3 Times More Widespread Than Doctors Thought
New research suggests that there may be more than 10.5 million people in the United States living with atrial fibrillation, that is, three times more cases than experts had previously estimated. Image credit: Keith Brofsky/Getty Images.This article originally appeared on Medical News Today
Previous studies have reported that about 3 million people in the United States have atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Researchers from the University of California – San Francisco discovered that AFib is three times more common in the U.S. Than previously thought.
Over the course of the study, scientists found that people with AFib tended to be younger, less likely to be female, and more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes.
Previous studies have reported that about 3.3 million people in the United States have atrial fibrillation (AFib) — a condition that causes the heart to beat in an irregular pattern or very rapidly.
However, that number may be a lot more than we have thought, says researchers from University of California – San Francisco.
The researchers report their conclusions in their new study, recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
AFib estimates updated for the first time in over 2 decades
Over the last few years, previous research has reported a rise in AFib cases, with one review published in February 2024 stating that about one in every three to five people over the age of 45 is at risk.
While AFib is generally considered a condition for older adults over the age of 60, studies have reported an increase of AFib occurring in people at a younger age.
"Atrial fibrillation is a major contributor to the burden of disease, especially in elderly," Jean Jacques Noubiap, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California – San Francisco with a specialty in global cardiovascular health and first author of this study told Medical News Today.
"However, prevalence estimates of atrial fibrillation from large populations had not been updated for more than 2 decades," he added.
"Atrial fibrillation substantially increases the risks of death, stroke, heart failure, heart attack, chronic kidney disease, and dementia, and results in lower quality of life, especially when undiagnosed and untreated," Noubiap continued. "Therefore, it is crucial to detect atrial fibrillation and appropriately treat it to prevent its complications."
At least 10.55 million U.S. Adults have AFib
For this study, Noubiap and his team analyzed data from almost 30 million adult patients who had received some type of acute or procedural care in California from 2005 to 2019.
Of those study participants, about 2 million of them received an AFib diagnosis with the numbers increasing over time from 4.49% of participants treated between 2005 and 2009, to 6.82% receiving treatment between 2015 to 2019.
After standardizing this data for the entire U.S., researchers estimated that the current AFib prevalence nationwide is at least 10.55 million or about 5% of the population, which is three times more than previously thought.
Researchers also found that during the course of their study, people with AFib tended to be of a younger age, less likely to be female, and more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes.
"Our findings are not very surprising," Noubiap said. "They reflect what we see in clinical practice, an increasing number of patients who have atrial fibrillation. Previous studies suggested that there would [be] a rise in the number of people with atrial fibrillation. However, our data objectively demonstrate that prior projections severely underestimated the true prevalence of atrial fibrillation in U.S. Adults."
Are AFib cases on the rise in younger adults?
The scientists also discovered that over the length of the study's time frame, participants with AFib skewed younger, were less likely to be female, and were more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes.
As to why that may be the case, Noubiap explained that:
"It is likely that atrial fibrillation is diagnosed earlier due to enhanced detection. Increased healthcare utilization among females or patients with various comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes might heighten their likelihood of having atrial fibrillation diagnosed during their healthcare encounters."
However, "[t]he most important driver [for AFib] is population aging," he noted.
"In fact, increasing age is the strongest risk factor for atrial fibrillation," said Noubiap. "Furthermore, enhanced atrial fibrillation detection and improved survival of affected patients also result in [an] increased number of cases."
"Finally," he added, "the rise in common risk factors for atrial fibrillation, such as hypertension, obesity, or diabetes might partly explain the increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation."
What might explain the rise in AFib cases?
After reviewing this study, Nikhil Warrier, MD, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist and medical director of electrophysiology at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, told MNT that the authors should be commended as it shows a glimpse into what we see in our day-to-day patient encounters.
"Namely, increased diagnosis of AFib in younger patients with significant comorbidities," Warrier continued. "I suspect that the prevalence is higher — improved accuracy from wearable devices will likely [lead] to earlier diagnosis, which will continue to increase the volume of patients seeking care."
While "it is deeply concerning to see an increased prevalence of AFib in younger patients but known risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, sleep apnea, and alcohol consumption likely play a role here," he further explained.
"Successful programs are great at addressing these risk factors which lead to improved clinical outcomes for all patients," Said Warrier.
MNT also spoke with Yuriy Dudiy, MD, surgical director and the Adult ECMO Program in the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study.
"The study reveals a significant rise in A-fib cases, exceeding prior estimates," Dudiy, who was also not involved in this research, told us. "This conservative figure excludes diagnoses from ambulatory clinics and likely undetected AFib, making the issue even more pressing."
In his opinion:
"This is a wake-up call for the medical community, policymakers, and the public. Policymakers need to address AFib as a major public health concern and allocate resources, especially since younger patients are increasingly affected, leading to higher long-term healthcare costs. Medical community must prioritize prevention, early detection, and effective management of AFib to ensure a healthier future and reduce the burden on the healthcare system."
What can you do to lower AFib risk?
For those looking to lower their risk for AFib, Warrier said that the adage "prevention is better than the cure" applies here, and Dudiy commented that preventing AFib can be more manageable with some simple lifestyle changes and healthy habits.
To help lower a person's AFib risk, recommendations from both doctors include:
following a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while avoiding excessive sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats
improving hypertension control through medications/diet
cutting down on alcohol and caffeine consumption
quitting smoking
incorporating at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily
managing stress through relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga
getting 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night
monitoring heart health, especially if the person has a family history of AFib or other heart conditions
staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
View the original article on Medical News Today
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