Why To Study Medicine?

Dr Fatma ElHadad Date : 20 Jul 24

Why To Study Medicine? Job opportunities in the field of medicine, What does a student study in medicine? The top 5 fully funded scholarships to study medicine abroad, and The most famous universities studying medicine in the world. We will discuss all of these questions and more in this article. If you are interested in studying medicine, keep reading.

About the medicine majors 

Studying medicine is a highly rewarding and challenging field that prepares individuals to become healthcare professionals who diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses and injuries. Pursuing a major in medicine typically involves a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of medical science, clinical practice, patient care, and research. 

Studying medicine also helps students develop essential professional skills such as 

• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Empathy
• Ethical decision-making. 

Upon completing a medical degree program, aspiring physicians must obtain a medical license to practice medicine legally. This usually involves passing national licensing exams and meeting other requirements set by the licensing authorities in the country where they intend to practice.

Definition of the specialty of medicine 

Why To Study Medicine?

The specialty of medicine refers to a specific area of medical practice that focuses on a particular organ system, disease, age group, or method of treatment. 

Medical specialties are branches of medicine that healthcare professionals can choose to specialize in after completing their general medical training. 

Specializing in a particular field of medicine allows healthcare providers to develop expertise, skills, and knowledge in a specific area, enabling them to provide specialized care and treatment to patients with complex or specific medical conditions.

10 reasons to study medicine 

Studying medicine is a challenging and rewarding journey that offers numerous benefits and opportunities. Here are 10 reasons why studying medicine can be a fulfilling and worthwhile career choice:

1. Make a Difference 

As a healthcare professional, you have the opportunity to directly impact the lives of individuals by providing medical care, improving health outcomes, and making a positive difference in the community.

2. Lifelong Learning 

Medicine is a dynamic and constantly evolving field, offering continuous opportunities for learning, professional growth, and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in healthcare.

3. Diverse Career Options 

A medical degree opens doors to a wide range of career paths, including clinical practice, research, public health, academia, administration, and more, allowing you to explore various specialties and areas of interest.

4. Job Security 

Healthcare is an essential industry with a growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals, providing strong job security and stability in the long term.

5. Intellectual Challenge 

Medicine is an intellectually stimulating field that requires critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply scientific knowledge to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions.

6. Personal Fulfillment

Helping others, witnessing patients' recovery and improvement, and building meaningful relationships with patients can be deeply fulfilling and rewarding on a personal level.

7. Global Impact 

Medicine transcends borders and cultures, offering opportunities to work in diverse settings, address global health challenges, and contribute to improving healthcare access and quality worldwide.

8. Financial Rewards

While pursuing a career in medicine requires significant investment in education and training, it also offers competitive salaries, financial stability, and the potential for high earning potential over time.

9. Team Collaboration 

Healthcare is a collaborative field that involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals, fostering teamwork, communication skills, and the opportunity to learn from others.

10. Professional Prestige

Being a healthcare professional is highly respected in society, and earning the title of a doctor or healthcare provider comes with a sense of professional pride, recognition, and respect from peers and the community.

What does a student study in medicine? 

Medical students study a wide range of subjects and topics related to human health, disease, and medical practice. 

These subjects include:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Hands-on training in physical examination, medical history taking, diagnostic procedures, and basic medical interventions.
• Medical ethics and professionalism
• Internal medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• Mechanisms of drug action
• Biology of disease
• Preparing for patients
• Medical cell biology and genetics
• Health behaviors
• Musculoskeletal system 
• Respiratory and digestive systems

A list of some medical specialties 

As students progress in their medical education, they have the opportunity to choose specializations or areas of focus within the field of medicine. Common specializations include:

• Anesthesiology
• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Emergency Medicine
• Family Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Neurology
• Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
• Oncology
• Orthopedics
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• General surgery
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Orthopedic surgery
• Urology
• Allergy and Immunology 
• Colon and rectal surgery 
• Forensic pathology 
• Genetics and Genomics
• Hospice and Palliative Medicine
• Hospital Medicine
• Otolaryngology
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Preventive Medicine
• Plastic surgery 
• Rheumatology 
• Sleep medicine 

The most famous universities studying medicine in the world 

Many universities are renowned for their medical programs, research facilities, and contributions to the field of medicine. 

The most famous universities studying medicine in the world include:

1. Harvard University Medical School (United States)
2. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (United States)
3. University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division (United Kingdom)
4. Stanford University School of Medicine (United States)
5. University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine (United Kingdom)
6. University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (United States)
7. Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine (United Kingdom)
8. Yale School of Medicine (United States)
9. University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine (Canada)
10.  Karolinska Institute (Sweden)

Duration of studying medicine 

The duration of studying medicine varies depending on the country and the specific program. In most countries, it typically takes around 6 years to complete a medical degree program, which includes both theoretical (the first 3 years) and practical training starting in 4th year. This undergraduate study was followed by 1-2 years of clinical rotations and internships. 

Additionally, some medical specialties may require further training and residency programs, which can add several more years to the overall duration of studying medicine.

General conditions for studying medicine 

After discussing Why to study medicine? If you make your decision and want to study medicine, you need to know the general conditions for studying medicine which include:

1. Academic Qualifications, including high grades in science subjects such as 

• Biology.
• Chemistry.
• Physics. 

Most medical schools also require applicants to have completed specific prerequisite courses.

2. Entrance Exams, such as 

• YÖS exam in Turkey 
• The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in the United States
• The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) 
• The Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) in the UK, 
• The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in Canada
• The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) in Australia.

3. Personal Statement

4. Interviews

5. Clinical Experience

6. Financial Considerations

7. Professionalism and Ethical Standards

8. Physical and Mental Health

Documents necessary to apply to study medicine 

The specific documents required to apply to study medicine may vary depending on the country and the individual medical school. However, here are some common documents that are typically needed when applying to medical school:

1. Academic Transcripts demonstrating your strong performance in science-related subjects.

2. Standardized Test Scores such as 

• The MCAT (in the United States)
• UKCAT or BMAT (in the UK)
• GAMSAT (in Australia)

3. Personal Statement

4. Letters of Recommendation

5. CV/Resume

6. Completed Application Form

7. Proof of English Proficiency like the TOEFL or IELTS may be required.

8. Application Fee

9. Additional Requirements such as interviews, essays, or specific health screenings. Make sure to review the application guidelines of each school carefully.

Costs of studying medicine around the world 

When answering Why to study medicine?, you must take the high costs of studying medicine around the world into consideration as The costs of studying medicine can vary significantly around the world, depending on factors such as 

• The country
• Type of institution
• Program duration
• whether the student is domestic or international. 

Here is an overview of the costs of studying medicine in different countries:

Job opportunities in the field of medicine 

 Graduates with a medicine major have a wide range of career opportunities available to them. They can work as

• Civil servant (fast stream)
• Clinical research
• Consultant anesthetist
• Expedition medical officer
• Forensic medical examiner
• Genetic scientist
• Health service manager
• International aid medic
• Lecturer
• Medical charity clinical director
• Medical journalist
• Public health consultant
• Solicitor
• Physicians
• Surgeons
• Medical researchers
• Public health professionals
• Healthcare administrators

Can students attend postgraduate studies after specializing in medicine? 

Yes, students who have completed their medical education and specialized in a specific field of medicine can further their education by pursuing postgraduate studies. Postgraduate studies in medicine typically refer to residency programs, fellowships, or advanced training programs that allow healthcare professionals to specialize even further within their chosen field. These programs provide additional training, experience, and expertise in a particular subspecialty or area of interest.

For example, a physician who has completed a residency in internal medicine may choose to pursue a fellowship in cardiology to become a specialized cardiologist. 

Similarly, a surgeon may complete a fellowship in a specific type of surgery, such as orthopedic surgery or neurosurgery, to further enhance their skills and knowledge in that area.

Postgraduate studies in medicine can lead to advanced qualifications, research opportunities, teaching positions, and career advancement. Healthcare professionals who pursue postgraduate studies often become experts in their field and contribute to advancements in medical knowledge and patient care.

Common postgraduate studies available for medical graduates include :

• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• MS in Biomedical Engineering
• Masters in Data Science

The top 5 fully funded scholarships to study medicine abroad 

Securing a fully funded scholarship to study medicine abroad can be a highly competitive process, but there are several prestigious scholarships available for international students pursuing medical education. 

Here are five top fully funded scholarships that aspiring medical students can consider:

1. Fulbright Program 

The Fulbright Program offers fully funded scholarships for international students to apply for master's and PhD studies in the United States. It provides funding for tuition, airfare, living expenses, and health insurance. 

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is open to students from over 160 countries, including those interested in pursuing medical degrees.

2. Chevening Scholarships 

The Chevening Scholarships, funded by the UK government, are awarded to outstanding individuals with leadership potential to study postgraduate courses( masters only), including medicine, in the United Kingdom. The scholarship covers 

• Tuition fees
• Living expenses
• Airfare, and other allowances.

3. Imperial College London PhD Scholarship 

Imperial College London PhD Scholarship offers up to 10  fully funded scholarships for international students every year.

The scholarship covers tuition fees and an annual tax-free contribution.

4. Turkish government Scholarships 

The Turkish government Scholarships are fully funded by the Turkish government and provide opportunities for international students from eligible countries to undertake undergraduate or postgraduate studies, including medical degrees, in Turkey. 

The scholarship covers 

• Tuition fees, 
• Travel expenses
• Living allowances.

All international students can apply for Turkish scholarships from many nationalities excluding Turkish citizens.

5. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are fully funded scholarships that are offered to international students pursuing doctoral or postdoctoral research in Switzerland, including medical studies. The scholarship covers tuition fees, airfare, housing allowance, health insurance, and a monthly stipend.

Is it possible to study human medicine online? 

While some aspects of medical education can be completed online, such as lectures, discussions, and certain simulations, studying human medicine entirely online is not typically possible. This is because medical education requires hands-on clinical training, practical skills development, and direct patient interaction, which are essential components of medical training that cannot be fully replicated in an online setting.

Medical students need to gain practical experience through clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to develop essential clinical skills, learn how to interact with patients and apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios. Additionally, medical education involves laboratory work, hands-on procedures, and supervised clinical experiences that cannot be effectively conducted online.

Medical schools and licensing bodies have specific requirements for clinical training and practical experience that must be completed in person to ensure that students are adequately prepared to practice medicine safely and effectively.

Conclusion 

Why study medicine? Studying medicine as a major requires dedication, hard work, and a genuine passion for helping others. It is a challenging yet fulfilling journey that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

If you wanted to know more or have any questions, we are here to help you and you can always contact us:

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