Non student asking a question

[Sammy777]

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Hi there. I am a non student at the moment. My question is: How long does it take to become a doctor and how long does it take to become a surgeon? I have been sick for the past 1.5 years and have self taught biology/molecular biology/chemistry/organic chemistry essentially a big chunk of medicine up to and including medical biochemistry/medical genetics and have also self taught algebra/calculus/ physics+ other non necessary areas of physics for medicine. If i get better before next year or before enrollments for uni end for next year i intend to enroll (was thinking maths/physics/biology/chemistry). I would want to be studying 40 (or more 50?) hours a week so as to fill the week out (i would not want to be just doing 20 or so hours a week). I lurk doctors boards and read surgeons postings which motivates me. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

Sam.

 

[mvenus929]

You need an undergrad degree. That usually takes 4 years. Somewhere during this time, you need to take the MCAT and apply to medical schools as well.

Then you need to go to medical school. Most schools are also 4 years.

Then, you go to residency. For a family medicine doctor, that's 3 years. For a surgeon, that's anywhere from 5-10 years, depending on the type of surgery you want to do, and where you do your residency.

So, from your point, becoming a physician will take approximately 11 years, and to be a surgeon will take about 13-15.

 

[Sammy777]

Thanks for the response. What is an approximate run down on the kind of hours of working/studying through out those time? And what advice can a doctor give about having a family and how it interacts with studying through out those years? Based on some message boards i semi get the feeling i need to make a choice 100% surgeon/doctor lifestyle and skip the family or prioritize the family and find a different career path.

 

[mvenus929]

1. The hours you spend studying in college are completely dependent on your own study habits and workload, as well as the school you go to. In order to get into medical school, though, you also have to do a bunch of extra-curricular activities, so you have to account for those in your time as well.

2. First two years of medical school, you're studying. How much you study will depend on you and your goals. Most people consider it a full time job at 40-50 hours per week, but that can vary significantly.

3. Third year of medical school, you will be working hard. Think 60+ hour weeks, with some rotations being on the lighter side at 40 hours working. But, you still have to go home at the end of the day and study.

4. Fourth year of medical school, once you finish the rotations you try to get letters in, is pretty laid back, though if you're going into surgery, you might have a heavier schedule because of that (those who want to go into surgery may not want to take the lighter rotations because they aren't interesting).

5. Residency, expect to work 80ish hours per week. This may vary by program, but it'll at least give you some idea of what you may be working, and you can mentally prepare yourself.

As far as having a family--it's about your priorities. There are 2 students in my class who have had kids since starting med school--one is going into pediatrics, and the other into emergency medicine. You can certainly have a family and go into medicine, but it may be more difficult if you're dead set on surgery, because you're more likely to have longer hours and less time to spend with your family.

 

[Sammy777]

Thanks for the input good food for thought.