How to Become a Doctor in Delaware USA

Doctors are professionals who provide treatments, diagnose diseases and counsel individuals to follow a healthy lifestyle. They perform multiple duties like collecting patient’s information, discussing tests result and performing diagnostic tests, etc.

The road to becoming a doctor is long and tough but if you think you have what it takes to excel in this field, then this is what you have to do.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net Online

As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicians and surgeons are expected to experience a growth of 7% in job opportunities between 2018 and 2018. To become a doctor, a candidate must have a medical degree or a Ph. D. They are required to apply for licensure once their education and training is completed. The licensure requirements vary from state to state so the candidate must check their state requirements. Doctors also need to have certain qualities to succeed. They need to be patient and compassionate. They also have to be quick thinkers and physically fit.

1. Get Your Bachelor’s Degree


The first step to become a doctor is to get an undergraduate degree. Medical schools do not require any specific major, but students who choose medicine as a field usually have a stronger base. There are a few mandatory courses including physics, biology, chemistry and mathematics that they have to take.

2. Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)


After finishing undergraduate program, students take their MCAT to apply to medical colleges. MCAT is a standardized exam which is required by all medical schools. It tests the students’ knowledge about the basic concepts of chemistry, biology and organic chemistry, etc. It also gauges their verbal reasoning, writing and problem-solving skills.

3. Get a Medical Degree


Students who do well on MCAT, get enrolled in a medical college. The first two years of medical college consist of theoretical and laboratory work, while the last two years allow students to work with patients directly and gain exposure. They work under the supervision of professionals so they get to learn a lot from their experience as well. Medical school coursework includes topics like biochemistry, pathology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, etc.

4. Complete the Residency


Residency is mandatory for all candidates. The duration of a residency program could be 3-7 years depending on the specialization you choose. During this program students work at a clinic or hospital and they are allowed to work with patients. They are responsible to take care of certain activities including performing physical exams and developing problem lists, etc.

5. Obtain Licensure


It is mandatory for all candidates to have a license. However, each state has a different requirement. In Delaware, applicants have to submit their application and take the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), Federal Licensing Examination (FLEX) and the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX). Some applicants apply through the Federation of State Medical Board’s Federation Credentials Verification Services (FCVS), while others are non-FCVS applicants.

Aspiring doctors have to complete their 4 year undergraduate degree followed by a 4 year medical degree at an accredited school. After students complete all the necessary education requirements, they have to finish a medical residency program which spans from 3-7 years depending on the chosen area of specialty. So all in all, it can take anywhere between 9 to 15 years to become a doctor.

Following are the requirements to become a doctor in Delaware:

 

Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in Delaware earned $219,940 in 2020 as annual mean income as per the information published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

O*Net Online predicts a 12% employment growth for “Physicians, All Other” in Delaware from 2018 and 2028. This percentage is higher than the national average growth rate of 5%.

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