How to Become a Family Doctor
A family doctor helps treat and monitor general ailments in patients. These individuals can work with both adults and children. Often, adults who have a family doctor will bring their own children in for routine physicals or minor illnesses. It takes eleven years to become a family doctor so a person who chooses this as a career should be motivated and devoted.
- Earn a Bachelor of Arts degree at a school that is widely recognized and is regarded highly in the medical field. Focus on Pre-Med and Science courses to gain thorough background knowledge needed to become a family doctor. Study hard and maintain a good grade point average so that you can apply to the medical schools of your choice.
- Attend a highly rated medical school that will focus on biomedical classes for your first two years. Learn important information in subjects such as Physiology, Gross Anatomy, Pharmacology, Neuroscience and Microbiology. Pass an exam called the USMLE Step 1, which will enable you to continue to the final two years of medical school. Get hands-on clinical training combined with further class work during the remainder of medical school.
- Work in a residency program for two to three years and focus on becoming trained as a family doctor. Train under the guidance of medical professionals and earn a good salary while doing it.
- Develop a network in the medical field so that you will have good references and more job opportunities when you complete your residency programs. Keep in touch with these individuals to maintain good contacts.
- Pass the USMLE Step 2 in order to receive a certificate as a medical doctor. Answer questions on critical thinking and management related to medical practice.
- Open up your own practice as a family doctor. Rent a doctor's office in a building setting or create an office in your own home. Put up a sign to advertise your practice to individuals who are passing by your location.