Most physicians work within the public health care systems at hospitals and health centres but in some countries it is common to open your own practice. The profession of being a physician is protected by a licence issued by the state. What you, as a foreign physician, need to do in order to receive a license in a new country depends on that country’s bilateral agreements. In some parts of the world there is a shortage of physicians and the shift runs smoother while it may take several years in others. The earnings of a physician also vary widely depending on where you are stationed.
Studying Medicine - How to become a physician
To become a physician you will have to
study medicine for five and a half to six years. The competition for the seats is hard and highest mark is needed in most countries. In order to qualify for the medical programme you need a completed upper secondary education including all the sciences.
A number of faculties want to interview their candidates to prove their suitability before allowing them in to their medical programmes, and several universities test their candidates in the scientific subjects as well.
In some countries you will receive your license as a physician together with your
doctor in medicine. These medical programs are often somewhat longer than the programs where you need to apply for your medical license after a completed period of internship training.
Studying General Medicine
The
general medicine program is comprised of 330 to 360 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which is equivalent to five to six years of fulltime studies. Depending on university and jurisdiction, these may be either undergraduate-entry (most of Europe, India and China) or graduate-entry programs (mainly United States).
During your academic years you will learn the fundamentals of anatomy and diseases, how the internal organ systems work, about the structure of the cells, and much, much more.The five to six first semesters of the general medical programme are often carried out at the university where you gain your basic medical knowledge. The last six semesters are taught training within the institutional care system mixed with theoretical schooling at the university hospital.
The Medical Internship
After completed medical education, and before you receive a full
license to practice medicine as a physician, you need to participate in an internship programme which lasts from one to two years. If you study in a foreign country and aim to work in your home country it is possible to carry out your internship at home, which often qualifies you for a medical license in the country where you practice. The medical internship is often completed with an exam which underlies your license to practice
general medicine.
Qualifying for Medical Practice Abroad
Medical licenses are generally not directly transferrable between countries. Rules and regulations differ in and between countries, which means that it is advisable to research what rules apply before commencing your study abroad. In some cases, such as within the EU, you can gain a license in your home country if you do your term of residency at home after completing your degree abroad. In other cases, it may be necessary to take extra examinations, courses and even an extra year of residency in order to obtain a license, regardless of your previous experience.
The medical specialist
After completing your
medical degree, you are free to pursue any number of specialties or go into the field of research. All specialties require between three and six years of additional training after your completed residency and obtained license. Specialization often involves an additional post graduate degree on top of your medical degree, in addition to on the job training at selected hospitals.
Specializations in the medical profession include:
- Surgery - with selected category specialistions such as heart or brain surgery.
- Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Psychiatry
- Anesthesiology
- General practitioner
- Internal medicine
