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 doctor Capable 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 surgery Roadmap: 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 shelters Read 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 professional Develop 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 exam Major in whatever you like!  Science major helps in medical school subjects  Non-science majors help with problem solving skills and different background knowledge Continue to volunteer Assist 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 Biochemistry Human Physiology Immunology Genetics Statistics: essential for learning how to analyze data and understanding relationships between different variables Health Policy Behavioral 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 summaries Review notes At 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