How long does it take to become a doctor? Answered

In India, becoming a doctor is a highly esteemed and important career. Doctors are essential in society because they treat patients, identify diseases, and save lives. They are in charge of ensuring people's safety and making a positive impact on the country's general health.
It is impossible to exaggerate doctors' importance to society. In addition to treating medical conditions, doctors also provide patients and their families with comfort and support during challenging moments. They support public health programs, technological breakthroughs, and medical research.

Doctors can specialize in various medical field, such as cardiology, neurology, gynecology, orthopedics, dermatology, and more. Each specialization requires specific knowledge and skills to meet diverse healthcare needs.

Overview of the journey to becoming a doctor

In order to become a doctor, candidates must first complete their MBBS degree, which is a crucial step. After finishing the MBBS degree and a mandatory 6-month internship, individuals must obtain a license to practice medicine legally from the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the respective state medical council. Doctors can also specialize in various medical fields through postgraduate programs such as MS,MD, DNB etc. To become a doctor and gain admission to the MBBS course, candidates must successfully complete their 10+2 from the science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as their compulsory subjects. However, according to the revised NEET eligibility criteria, candidates with Biology as an additional subject are also eligible to apply for NEET. The average monthly salary of a fresher doctor in India ranges between INR 2 Lakh and 5 Lakh. A doctor's salary also depends on their specialization, experience, and qualifications.

What is the importance of the NEET exam?

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), commonly known as NEET, is an important examination for aspiring doctors in India. It is the primary gateway for admission into MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses in both Indian and medical colleges abroad. NEET ensures that candidates meet specific qualifications and eligibility criteria before pursuing medical education. In 2020, it became mandatory for all aspiring medical professionals under the National Medical Council Act, 2019, which accelerated the admissions process. NEET guarantees a merit-based selection process by assessing students in essential subjects including biology, chemistry, and physics. It ensures that only the deserving applicants get the chance to start their medical careers. By completing NEET successfully, applicants can get into prestigious medical schools and establish the foundation for a successful career in medicine.

How to become a doctor in India after 12th?

In this section, we will outline the major steps to becoming a doctor in India. Please evaluate each step carefully.

Step 1: Select the right stream in the 11th & 12th class

• In classes 11th and 12th, students must choose the science stream, which includes physics, chemistry, and biology as mandatory subjects.

• Skipping optional subjects like secondary languages is advised to lessen your academic load.

Step 2: Appear for the NEET exam (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)

• To get admission to a renowned medical college in India, including AFMC, AIIMS, JIPMER, and others, aspirants are required to appear for and successfully crack the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

• The NEET exam is considered as the national entrance test for MBBS and BDS undergraduate medical programs.

Step 3: Pursue an undergraduate program

• You will pursue a bachelor's degree lasting 5 and a half years. Some of the top courses to consider for becoming a doctor are MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, or BUMS.

• These programs are approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC), ensuring you will become a licensed doctor upon completion.

Step 4: Postgraduate education

• After completing your undergraduate degree, you can specialize in a specific area of interest.

• Students can pursue a master’s degree (MD/MS) or a Diploma, with an MD being for physicians and an MS for aspiring surgeons. MD/MS programs usually take 3-4 years.

• Alternatively, you may also select for a 2-year Diploma course after MBBS.

• You may also consider obtaining a 3-year Diplomate of National Board (DNB) course, which is equivalent to an MD/MS, at large private specialty hospitals.

• Some candidates opt to pursue double postgraduate degrees, such as MD followed by DNB, to further specialize.

Step 4: Super-specialization

• For those who aspire to become highly specialized doctors or surgeons, they can pursue DM (for physicians) or MCh (for surgeons).

• These super-specialties require completion of MD/MS before pursuing them.

• If you have completed DNB after MBBS, you can pursue super-specialization through "Fellow of National Board" (FNB), which is equivalent to DM/MCh.

• Super-specialization requires years of practice, including junior and senior residencies.

By following these steps, you can begin a rewarding journey to become a doctor in India, contributing to the healthcare sector with expertise and dedication.

How many years does it take to become a doctor?

After finishing the high school, it normally takes at least five and a half years to become a doctor in India. This covers the four and a half years of MBBS education as well as the mandatory one-year rotational internship. It takes an additional 3-4 years to pursue postgraduate degrees, such as a Master of Surgery (MS) or Doctor of Medicine (MD). Achieving further expertise through DM/MCh or other certificate programs may take longer. Therefore, depending on your chosen specialty, becoming a doctor in India may take eight and a half years or longer.

Essential career pathways to become a doctor

Jobs & salaries after pursuing MBBS

After obtaining an MBBS degree, medical graduates have a wide range of career opportunities in clinical practice and academia. The salaries for MBBS graduates and medical professionals are determined by their level of education, experience, and the positions they hold in medical institutions. Below is an approximate breakdown of the monthly salaries for various roles in the medical field:

Factors influencing the duration of medical school

The duration of medical school can vary due to different factors, which we will discuss below. However, it's important to emphasize that the main goal is to provide students with comprehensive training. Therefore, in this context, the length of education becomes less significant.

Degree program

The curriculum of various medical schools may differ. While some colleges may offer accelerated programs or combined undergraduate and medical programs, others may have a standard four-year curriculum. These differences may affect the total length of medical school.
Furthermore, some medical schools have combined degree programs that include other training or courses into the medical curriculum, such as MD/PhD or MD/MBA. These courses can extend education beyond the typical four years.

Extended training for specializations

Longer residency programs are necessary for some medical specialties than for others, such as neurosurgery or surgery. For example, a five-year residency is usually required for general surgery, but a six-year residency is needed for neurosurgery.
Furthermore, before beginning clinical practice, students who are deeply involved in research projects may need to spend extra years obtaining their postgraduate degrees or obtaining an extensive amount of research experience. This may result in their education taking longer to complete altogether.

The individual pace of learning

During particular stages of their education, some students might require more time to address personal or academic requirements or to get a deeper grasp of a particular subject. This may lead to a lengthier medical school curriculum overall.
The duration also depends on how well students perform on prerequisite exams. Individuals might need more time to prepare and do well on these tests, which could result in their education taking longer than expected.
It is critical to recognize that the guidelines and requirements provided by accrediting organizations and medical licensing boards are essential to this procedure. For example, to attain a medical license, passing license tests such as NEET-PG, which will now be replaced with the NExT-1 and NExT-2 exams, is frequently necessary to progress through the several phases of medical school.

Challenges of medical school and how to overcome them

Students sometimes ignore the challenges that come with each stage in the lengthy and tough process of becoming a doctor. The path of medical school itself is demanding packed with difficulties of its own. The quantity of information that has to be processed is huge and dealing with medical problems of patients on top of the stress of high-stakes tests may be emotionally draining.
It can also be challenging to manage academics, clinical experience, and personal life because of the extended study and clinical rotation hours, which can cause exhaustion and burnout. The psychological burden of seeing disease and perhaps disastrous results can also impact mental health of students.

In order to help you overcome these obstacles and simplify your medical school experience, take into consideration the following study advice for medical students:

• Remember to prioritize tasks, set up a study schedule, and make sure to allocate time for self-care and relaxation.

• Connect with peers, professors, and mentors who can offer assistance, emotional support, and valuable insights.

• Join study groups or participate in peer learning to improve understanding and retention of complex materials.

• Remember to maintain your physical and mental health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep.

• To address the emotional challenges, do not hesitate to seek mental health support through counselling, therapy, or peer support groups.

• Don’t forget to recognize that it’s okay to struggle and that perfection is not attainable.

• Treat yourself with kindness and recognize that challenges are a natural part of the learning process.

• Try & experiment with different study techniques to find what works best for you.

• Make use of the resources offered by the medical school, including the online databases, educational technologies, and library services.

Takeaway

It's important to recognize that the length of medical school and the full journey that a doctor must take is evidence of the great power and responsibility that come with being a healthcare provider. Those who hold the title of "doctor" need to ensure they are fully qualified and equipped for the role.
Therefore, there is no better moment than now to make this significant decision to become a healthcare professional. To learn more, contact futureMBBS and take the first step toward a rewarding career in medicine.

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