Last Updated on July 29, 2023
A general practice doctor has the least amount of requirements for any medical doctor. While these doctors do still have four years of medical school and one to two years of residency after completing four years of undergraduate education, this is the minimum amount of education any medical doctor must undergo.
Pediatrics
A pediatrician is a general practice doctor for infants, children and adolescents, ages 0 to 17. Similar to a general practice doctor for adults, pediatricians go through eight years of education before beginning their residency, which lasts three years. After this, they are eligible to practice pediatrics.
Podiatry
While not a medical doctor, a podiatrist is technically a doctor and receives the designation DPM, or doctor of podiatry medicine. These doctors, which treat the feet, ankles and lower legs, must complete an undergraduate program and a four-year podiatric medicine program before beginning their one- to three-year residency.
General Practitioners
General practitioners are primary family doctors who perform checkups with adults and children. They also offer generic advice to patients and sometimes refer them to specialized doctors should a serious illness occur.
Medical Doctors
Medical doctors usually specialize in a specific discipline to offer patients more detailed assistance than a general practitioner. For example, an oncologist works primarily with cancer patients, while a gynecologist deals primarily with women’s health.
Pros and Cons of General Practitioners
General practitioners often have a thorough medical history of the family and can accurately assess the correct illnesses based on this knowledge. They also provide the stability of having a primary doctor to visit when emergencies arise. A disadvantage is that they may not offer specialized care to patients.
Pros and Cons of Medical Doctors
For patients whose specific illnesses cannot always be treated by general practitioners, they can visit a medical doctor. A disadvantage is that medical doctors may not have the patients’ medical histories readily available.
A general practice doctor has the least amount of requirements for any medical doctor. While these doctors do still have four years of medical school and one to two years of residency after completing four years of undergraduate education, this is the minimum amount of education any medical doctor must undergo.
Pediatrics
A pediatrician is a general practice doctor for infants, children and adolescents, ages 0 to 17. Similar to a general practice doctor for adults, pediatricians go through eight years of education before beginning their residency, which lasts three years. After this, they are eligible to practice pediatrics.
Podiatry
While not a medical doctor, a podiatrist is technically a doctor and receives the designation DPM, or doctor of podiatry medicine. These doctors, which treat the feet, ankles and lower legs, must complete an undergraduate program and a four-year podiatric medicine program before beginning their one- to three-year residency.
General Practitioners
General practitioners are primary family doctors who perform checkups with adults and children. They also offer generic advice to patients and sometimes refer them to specialized doctors should a serious illness occur.
Medical Doctors
Medical doctors usually specialize in a specific discipline to offer patients more detailed assistance than a general practitioner. For example, an oncologist works primarily with cancer patients, while a gynecologist deals primarily with women’s health.
Pros and Cons of General Practitioners
General practitioners often have a thorough medical history of the family and can accurately assess the correct illnesses based on this knowledge. They also provide the stability of having a primary doctor to visit when emergencies arise. A disadvantage is that they may not offer specialized care to patients.
Pros and Cons of Medical Doctors
For patients whose specific illnesses cannot always be treated by general practitioners, they can visit a medical doctor. A disadvantage is that medical doctors may not have the patients’ medical histories readily available.
How do I get into a Residency Program?
Applying for a medical residency can be very tedious task.
In the US, to get into a medical residency, you have to follow through with the following processes as an IMG.
International medical graduates (IMGs) are people who attended a non-U.S. and non-Canadian medical school. Everyone who attended these schools is considered an IMG, including U.S. and Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The process include;
1) Register with the USMLE
This is the first step in applying to a medical residency.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates® (ECFMG ) will certify the qualifications of the IMG physician before they can begin their U.S. Residency.
But first, you will have to register with the ECFMG. This starts the application process.
2) Pass the USMLE® Exams
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for a medical license in the United States.
USMLE Step 1 exam examines how you understand and apply basic sciences to the practice of medicine.
For, The USMLE Step 2 CK, you will be tested on the application of medical foundation and understanding of clinical science for the provision of patient care.
The USMLE Step 2 CS assesses your ability to employ medical knowledge and skills in a practical, patient-oriented setting.
USMLE Step 3 is the final examination. It focuses on providing patient care in an ambulatory setting. But, you have the option to either write this exam before applying for an IMG residency or at the end of your residency year.
3) Get Valuable Clinical Experience in the USA
As an undergraduate that has not even started the USLME, start looking for clinical rotation opportunities, it is going to be handy in your application for residency.
4) Register with the AAMC
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) runs the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). ERAS is the centralized online application system you will use for applying to residency programs through the MyERAS Portal.
5) Pick your Residency Programs
By now you will have taken several of your USMLE Exams and will have a better understanding of how competitive you are as IMG for the Medical Residency Match.
This helps to screen the hundreds of US residency programs in selected specialties like Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, etc.) to find those you will be competitive in.
6) Get your ECFMG Token and Register with ERAS
Obtain your ECFMG Token through the OASIS or the MyECFMG mobile app.
The ECFMG Token is a 14-digit alphanumeric number that is unique to you. Once you have your token, register with ERAS.
7) Finalize Documentation and Submit ERAS Application
Since you have already identified the residency programs you are qualified for, now apply to them through ERAS. In addition, you must include all supporting documents.
These documents includes;
- Residency personal statement
- ERAS Common Application Form
- Curriculum vitae, and
- Letters of recommendation.
