What schools teach you to become a surgeon?
To become a surgeon, one generally needs to complete several levels of education and training:
1. Undergraduate Education: After completing high school, aspiring surgeons typically pursue an undergraduate degree, often majoring in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or a related discipline. This undergraduate phase typically lasts four years.
2. Medical School: After obtaining an undergraduate degree, the next step is to attend medical school. Medical school is a rigorous program that usually lasts four years. During this phase, students learn about various medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and medical ethics.
3. Residency: Upon completion of medical school, graduates must complete a residency program in surgery. Surgery residencies typically last five to seven years and provide comprehensive training in surgical techniques, patient care, and decision-making. Depending on the specialty, there are different residency programs available, such as general surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics, and more.
4. Fellowship (Optional): After completing residency, some surgeons choose to pursue additional specialization through a fellowship program. Fellowships are typically one to three years long and offer advanced training in a specific surgical subspecialty such as pediatric surgery, surgical oncology, or cardiothoracic surgery.
5. Board Certification: Once the residency (and fellowship, if applicable) is completed, surgeons are eligible to take board exams to become board-certified. Board certification ensures that surgeons meet specific standards of competency in their field. Surgeons are typically required to maintain their board certification through continuing medical education (CME) activities and recertification exams.
It's important to note that specific educational requirements and pathways may vary depending on the region and country where one wishes to practice surgery. Therefore, aspiring surgeons should research the specific requirements and regulations of the jurisdiction they intend to practice in.