Doctor of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) is a professional degree for physicians and surgeons. It is earned upon graduation from medical school in medicine, and those awarded the degree are entitled to use "Dr." as a prefix to their name. The M.D. is one of several doctorates in medicine conferred by institutions around the world, including the MBBS and MBChB, among others.

Education and Training

Pre-Medical Education

A pre-medical education, usually culminating in a bachelor's degree, is required prior to admission into medical school. The pre-medical curriculum includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Many students also pursue courses in psychology, sociology, biochemistry, and genetics.

Medical School

Medical school typically lasts four years in the United States and Canada, and six years in some other countries. The curriculum is divided into pre-clinical and clinical phases.

In the pre-clinical phase, students complete coursework in basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, pathology, and pharmacology. They also learn the fundamentals of taking a medical history and performing a physical examination.

The clinical phase involves rotations, also known as clerkships, in various medical specialties. During these rotations, students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians.

Licensing and Residency

After graduating from medical school, aspiring M.D.s must pass a series of licensing examinations. In the United States, these are the USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3.

Graduates then enter a medical residency program in their chosen specialty. Residency programs, which typically last 3-7 years, provide intensive, hands-on training in the medical field. After completing residency, physicians may choose to undergo further training in a subspecialty through a fellowship program.

Roles and Responsibilities

As healthcare professionals, M.D.s diagnose illnesses, prescribe and administer treatment, counsel patients, provide preventative healthcare, perform surgical procedures, and more. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.

See Also

• Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
• Medical education
• Medical school
• Medical degree

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