practicing medicine without residency?

[DoctorB]

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I have no idea how this process works. After you graduate from medical school (and pass whatever exams you need to take during the time) you recieve your MD. Can I prescribe medication at this point? Can I practice medicine without supervision? Can I do anything that I couldn't do before getting my MD before going to residency?

Thanks

 

[spicedmanna]

I have no idea how this process works. After you graduate from medical school (and pass whatever exams you need to take during the time) you recieve your MD. Can I prescribe medication at this point? Can I practice medicine without supervision? Can I do anything that I couldn't do before getting my MD before going to residency?

Thanks

You need to become licensed by a state medical board before you can practice medicine in it's full scope. Each state has it's own requirements.

 

[spicedmanna]

Check this out:

Medical License

After completing a residency or fellowship, you must obtain a medical license so that you can practice medicine. Each state has its own individual rules. For graduates of U.S. medical schools this is a relatively straightforward procedure. Generally you have to have graduated from an approved medical school in the U.S. Medical schools are approved or accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), which is a joint committee of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and The American Medical Association (AMA). Many states require only 1 year of training after medical school (internship) in an approved residency program as the bare minimum for obtaining a license. Residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) through the Residency Review Committees (RRC). You need to have passed one of several exams to prove that you are competent (such as the USMLE). Letters of reference are usually required. A check of your malpractice history will also be obtained. The rules for graduates of foreign medical schools are more complex and can be obtained from each state medical licensing board.

 

[Catalystik]

I have no idea how this process works. After you graduate from medical school (and pass whatever exams you need to take during the time) you recieve your MD. Can I prescribe medication at this point? Can I practice medicine without supervision? Can I do anything that I couldn't do before getting my MD before going to residency?

Thanks

You must finish an internship year at the minimum. Then you take the last licensure exam. Then you can apply to your state and the DEA for the privilege of prescribing medication on your own. (Prior to this your prescribing privileges are through the hospital you train at.) At this point you can practice unsupervised, but in my state you would not be able to get hospital admitting privileges without finishing a residency program. (I don't believe this is true in every state.)

 

[DrMom]

I have no idea how this process works. After you graduate from medical school (and pass whatever exams you need to take during the time) you recieve your MD. Can I prescribe medication at this point? Can I practice medicine without supervision? Can I do anything that I couldn't do before getting my MD before going to residency?

Thanks

You get your medical degree when you graduate. You have to complete all of the USMLE exams and, at a minimum, 1 year of residency training to be able to be independently licensed (including the ability to write prescriptions outside of your residency program). Some states require more training time before you can be fully licensed to practice. The Federation of State Medical Boards' website has the specifics for each state.


If you're not fully licensed, you cannot practice medicine even with your degree. Also, you severely limit your practice and income potential if you don't finish a residency.

 

[dutchman]

I have no idea how this process works. After you graduate from medical school (and pass whatever exams you need to take during the time) you recieve your MD. Can I prescribe medication at this point? Can I practice medicine without supervision? Can I do anything that I couldn't do before getting my MD before going to residency?

Thanks

Unless you are interested in killing a whole bunch of people, you better do a residency.

Or you could go join some of those short term consultancy things.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

Unless you are interested in killing a whole bunch of people, you better do a residency.

Or you could go join some of those short term consultancy things.

Or join the military as a general medical officer (flight surgeon).

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Sure, you can introduce yourself as "Hello. I'm Doctor Such-and-so." But practicing medicine and prescribing drugs is going to require a few more years of training and more tests. You think the MCAT is rediculous. Wait until the USMLE and your boards. Crazy expensive with more at stake.