Difference between revisions of "Become an Anesthesiologist"
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| − | Anesthesiologists are responsible for providing pain relief to patients and monitoring patients' vital signs during surgery.<ref>http://education-portal.com/articles/What_Should_I_Major_in_to_Become_an_Anesthesiologist.html</ref>Anesthesiology is a prestigious and lucrative field of medicine, but requires a great deal of education and expertise. Read this article to learn how to pursue anesthesiology as a career. | + | Anesthesiologists are responsible for providing pain relief to patients and monitoring patients' vital signs during surgery.<ref name="rf1">http://education-portal.com/articles/What_Should_I_Major_in_to_Become_an_Anesthesiologist.html</ref>Anesthesiology is a prestigious and lucrative field of medicine, but requires a great deal of education and expertise. Read this article to learn how to pursue anesthesiology as a career. |
[[Category:Education and Communications]] | [[Category:Education and Communications]] | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#*If you want to pursue medicine but are having trouble keeping up with science courses in high school, consider hiring a private tutor to help you excel. If you continue to have trouble, then reconsider your career path, as science courses will only continue to get more challenging through college and medical school | #*If you want to pursue medicine but are having trouble keeping up with science courses in high school, consider hiring a private tutor to help you excel. If you continue to have trouble, then reconsider your career path, as science courses will only continue to get more challenging through college and medical school | ||
#*Take the SATs, the required standardized admission test for colleges, your junior year and apply to multiple schools in order to keep your options open. Consider taking an SAT prep course to improve your score. | #*Take the SATs, the required standardized admission test for colleges, your junior year and apply to multiple schools in order to keep your options open. Consider taking an SAT prep course to improve your score. | ||
| − | #Get a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution. You will need to have a four-year degree in order to apply to medical school. While there is no specific major requirement, it is recommended that undergraduates major in the natural sciences.<ref | + | #Get a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution. You will need to have a four-year degree in order to apply to medical school. While there is no specific major requirement, it is recommended that undergraduates major in the natural sciences.<ref name="rf1" /> Popular majors for aspiring anesthesiologists include biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and nutritional science.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Undergraduate pre-medical programs include elective courses like organic chemistry that are specifically designed to prepare students for medical school.<ref | + | #*Undergraduate pre-medical programs include elective courses like organic chemistry that are specifically designed to prepare students for medical school.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). This standardized test is required for admission to medical school.<ref>https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/</ref> Your scores on this exam, plus your transcript and other personal information, will be the basis of your acceptance. | + | #Take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). This standardized test is required for admission to medical school.<ref name="rf2">https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/</ref> Your scores on this exam, plus your transcript and other personal information, will be the basis of your acceptance. |
| − | #*The MCAT changes periodically to keep up with current changes in medicine.<ref | + | #*The MCAT changes periodically to keep up with current changes in medicine.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #*Prepare for the test by taking practice exams and enrolling in an MCAT preparatory course.<ref>https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/preparing/</ref> | + | #*Prepare for the test by taking practice exams and enrolling in an MCAT preparatory course.<ref name="rf3">https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/preparing/</ref> |
| − | #Finish medical school. Medical school takes four years to complete, and will earn you either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Both are fully credentialed physicians qualified to become an anesthesiologist.<ref>http://www.asahq.org/resources/career-resources/anesthesia-as-a-career/how-to-prepare-for-a-career-in-anesthesiology</ref> During the first two years of medical school, you will learn the fundamentals of medicine in a classroom and lab setting, focusing on courses like physiology, pathology, microbiology, and neuroscience.<ref>http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/synopsis-medical-school-requirements.aspx</ref> During the second two years you will continue to learn in a classroom setting while also gaining hands-on training through rotations in hospitals and clinics.<ref | + | #Finish medical school. Medical school takes four years to complete, and will earn you either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Both are fully credentialed physicians qualified to become an anesthesiologist.<ref name="rf4">http://www.asahq.org/resources/career-resources/anesthesia-as-a-career/how-to-prepare-for-a-career-in-anesthesiology</ref> During the first two years of medical school, you will learn the fundamentals of medicine in a classroom and lab setting, focusing on courses like physiology, pathology, microbiology, and neuroscience.<ref name="rf5">http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/synopsis-medical-school-requirements.aspx</ref> During the second two years you will continue to learn in a classroom setting while also gaining hands-on training through rotations in hospitals and clinics.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #Complete a four-year anesthesiology residency.<ref | + | #Complete a four-year anesthesiology residency.<ref name="rf4" /> Once you have completed medical school, you will need to complete a four-year residency in anesthesiology before you will be eligible to take the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and/or American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA) examination.<ref name="rf4" /> Residents receive clinical training working in hospitals, and provide medical care to patients under supervision.<ref name="rf6">http://anesthesia.ucsf.edu/extranet/residency/index.php</ref> |
| − | #*The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) matches medical school graduates with residency programs.<ref | + | #*The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) matches medical school graduates with residency programs.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #*Many physicians complete an additional one-year fellowship after their four-year residency, focusing on a specialized field like cardiac or pediatric anesthesiology.<ref | + | #*Many physicians complete an additional one-year fellowship after their four-year residency, focusing on a specialized field like cardiac or pediatric anesthesiology.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Get licensed to practice medicine. You will need to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and/or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) to obtain licensure to practice medicine in the US.<ref>http://www.usmle.org/</ref> | + | #Get licensed to practice medicine. You will need to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and/or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) to obtain licensure to practice medicine in the US.<ref name="rf7">http://www.usmle.org/</ref> |
| − | #*Get board certified (optional). The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA) both offer a board certification exam.<ref | + | #*Get board certified (optional). The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) and the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA) both offer a board certification exam.<ref name="rf4" /> The test required to become a board certified anesthesiologist in the US, and is comprised of both written and oral sections.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #*Not all anesthesiologists are board-certified, but most (90%) are. Board certification demonstrates a physicians' expertise and commitment to the practice.<ref>http://www.theaba.org/home/Consumers</ref> | + | #*Not all anesthesiologists are board-certified, but most (90%) are. Board certification demonstrates a physicians' expertise and commitment to the practice.<ref name="rf8">http://www.theaba.org/home/Consumers</ref> |
| − | #Find work as an anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologists work in hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, private and group practices, urgent care centers, academic medical centers, and the military.<ref>http://www.mshealthcareers.com/careers/anesthesiologist.htm</ref> Anesthesiologists, like other physicians, work long and irregular hours, some working over 60 hours a week.<ref | + | #Find work as an anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologists work in hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, private and group practices, urgent care centers, academic medical centers, and the military.<ref name="rf9">http://www.mshealthcareers.com/careers/anesthesiologist.htm</ref> Anesthesiologists, like other physicians, work long and irregular hours, some working over 60 hours a week.<ref name="rf9" /> |
| − | #*With ever-growing populations, there will continue to be an increased demand for anesthesiologists and other medical professionals.<ref | + | #*With ever-growing populations, there will continue to be an increased demand for anesthesiologists and other medical professionals.<ref name="rf9" /> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
