1. PREPARED BY STEPHEN GROVES FOR AHEC EASTERN SHORE Journey to a Profession in Medicine

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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