Becoming a practicing physician takes many years of hard work and dedication. But if your child is passionate and determined to make this dream a reality, you can support them every step of the way. Here are five things every parent needs to know about helping their child become a doctor:
The Pre-Med Path
To become a doctor, students must complete four years of undergraduate study. Common pre-med programs include biology, chemistry, and physics. Moreover, one of the most important things for parents is that the pre-med path is very competitive.
During their undergraduate years, students should focus on achieving excellent grades, studying hard for the MCAT, and having excellent ethical credentials. They also need to have participated in various extracurricular activities that will help them stand out, such as volunteering, research, and shadowing physicians. The goal is to gain admission into a top medical school.
What to Expect in Medical School
The first two years of medical school are spent in the classroom, learning about the various systems of the human body and how to diagnose and treat diseases. The last two years are spent completing clinical rotations, during which students gain hands-on experience in various medical settings.
Hence, to get the most out of medical school, students need to know what to expect. Here are four things that every student should know before starting medical school:
Medical school is very demanding.
There is no sugarcoating it — medical school is tough. Students have to juggle many responsibilities, including attending lectures and labs, studying for exams, and completing clinical rotations. Preparing for the long hours and hard work required by medical school is essential.
The curriculum is constantly changing.
One thing that makes medical school so challenging is that the curriculum is constantly changing. New research and discoveries are made all the time, so students must be prepared to adapt and learn new material regularly.
There is a lot of competition.
In medical school, students compete with their peers for grades, residency spots, and jobs. It is important to remember that not everyone will get the same opportunities and that it is okay to be competitive.
Students will learn from their mistakes.
No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. In medical school, students will make mistakes — but that’s okay. What’s important is that they learn from their mistakes and become better doctors.
The Residency Process
After med school, residency takes between 3 and 7 years, during which students receive intensive training in their chosen medical specialty. During the residency, they will work closely with experienced doctors and other medical professionals, learning everything they need to know to be a competent and successful doctor.
Your child will spend most of that time in hospitals directly providing patient care. So you must ensure that you continue supporting and encouraging them along the way, especially since they have made it this far.
Becoming a Board-Certified Doctor
Board certification means that a doctor has met specific standards of education, training, and experience set by a national nonprofit organization. To become board certified, doctors must:
- Graduate from an accredited medical school.
- Complete residency training in their chosen specialty.
- Pass the required exam for certification
- Maintain their certification through continuing medical education and periodic exams.
To provide the best possible care for their patients, doctors must keep up with the latest medical advancements. They read medical journals, attend conferences, and take continuing education courses.
What Specialties Are Available in Medicine
Doctors are some of the most admired and respected people in society, and many different specialties are available in medicine. Your child might be dreaming of becoming a doctor because they saw inspiration from meeting their local dentist, the family doctor, or your opthalmologist. They may wish to someday help people smile brightly, help others to be healthy, or help them to be able to see clearly again. Whatever your child’s reason may be, it’s essential to know that there are many paths to becoming a doctor.
No matter what your child’s reasons are, it’s essential to encourage them to explore all of the different medical specialties. Who knows, they may find a particular interest in a field they never would have considered before, such as oncology, cardiology, or dermatology.
As a parent, it’s essential to know the path that your child is trying to walk. There will be times when they need your support and others when they need your guidance. Either way, it’s important to be there for them as they grow and learn.
