PREPARED BY STEPHEN GROVES FOR AHEC EASTERN SHORE

Journey to a Profession in Medicine

Careers in Health Care

There are many paths to developing the skills and training to practice medicine MD – Doctor of Allopathic Medicine DO – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine PA – Physician’s Assistant NP – Nurse Practitioner

MD

Traditionally trained medical doctorCapable of practicing wide variety of

medicine including surgery, obstetrics, psychiatry, etc.

Roadmap: 4 years of college 4 years of medical school 3-7 years of residency training in specific field 1-3 years of fellowship training

DO

Osteopathic Medicine similar in scope and training to MD added emphasis on holistic approach Osteopathic manipulative treatment (moving joints

and bones to alleviate systemic symptoms)Also practice wide variety of medicine,

including surgeryRoadmap: virtually identical to MD

PA

Physician’s Assistants also learn art of physical exam and diagnosis

Typically work in conjunction with practicing MD or DO, less likely to perform surgery

Roadmap 4 years of college 2-3 years Master’s Degree

NP

Similar in function to PA, but with foundation in nursing principles

Roadmap 4 years Nursing degree (or 4 years college + 2 years

Masters in Nursing) 2-4 years Masters Nurse Practitioner

What does Medical School look like?

2 years classroom science Physiology: how the body’s cells and organs work Anatomy: including cadaver dissection! Biochemistry: how the body uses energy Pathology: how the body breaks down Pharmacology: how medicines work Microbiology: bacteria, viruses, fungi

2 years of clinical rotations Surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine,

neurology, pediatrics, internal medicine

What should I do to prepare in HIGH SCHOOL?

Volunteer in hospitals, clinics, homeless sheltersRead books about health and health care

Cutting for Stone (Verghase) Being Mortal (Gawande) Mountains Beyond Mountains (Kidder)

Play Sports/Be active Learn about health and fitness as you will be modeling

this behavior as a health professionalDevelop Creative Passions

Outlet for stress Develops character and well-roundedness

What should I do to prepare in COLLEGE?

Complete and perform well in premedical courses: Biology, physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, mathematics

Take the MCAT medical school entrance examMajor in whatever you like!

Science major helps in medical school subjects Non-science majors help with problem solving skills and

different background knowledgeContinue to volunteerAssist in performing research

Doesn’t have to be in a lab with mice (though it can be) Clinical Research Quality Improvement

Other Helpful College Courses

BiochemistryHuman PhysiologyImmunologyGeneticsStatistics: essential for learning how to

analyze data and understanding relationships between different variables

Health PolicyBehavioral Health

How to Study – High School

High School: Complete your homework assignments Pay attention in class (your teachers are really trying

to break things down so that they are easy to understand)

Review your study guides Take quizzes as opportunities to test your knowledge

How to Study – College

Writing things down crucial for memory formation

Lectures will be presented as slides Hand copy and summarize slides before class Take notes of professor’s explanations and emphasis

alongside your summariesReview notesAt least 3 passes of material before exams

How to Study – Medical School

Very similar to college, but now with more material in shorter amount of time

Essential to develop good study habits through high school and college

Physicians are a profession that requires continues learning and recertification

Get good at taking tests because they are integral to a career in medicine