Physician Assistants Can Work and Study With Online Medical College Programs

You know that lady testing you in your doctor’s examination room? Did you know she’s a two-timer? NO! It’s not what you think. It’s just the demand for physician’s assistants are so extreme many can not resist double dipping; working at their doctor’s office by day and then over to a hospital or major clinic by night. Add to that many who are attending college for medical degrees and you’ve got some busy people.

The physician assistant should not be confused with her medical counterpart. The latter is more administrative and clerical while the former is more directly involved with a patient’s health. The medical assistant could very well be a young girl fresh out of secretarial or high school and working her way towards a degree. The PA must have the minimum of a two-year degree and many times a four year degree. As one can imagine, their salaries are commensurate with the education.

At her core, the physician’s assistant actually does practice medicine; just under the supervision of doctors and surgeons. PAs provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services as delegated by a physician. Working as members of a healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting.

Many PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine. Other specialty areas include general surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and geriatrics. Specialists in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery. Much of their duties are regulated by local and state laws.

As said before, a two-year program is the standard fair regarding a PAs education. There are an incredible number of schools offering them, including quite a number of online colleges. One important proviso is that the PA will have to get some hands-on time with patients before graduating. From there, they must find a job and get certified. This is where virtual education truly kicks in as one can take their field work then regular job and continue their studies off hours.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently just short of 75,000 practicing physician’s assistants in the U.S. workforce as of 2008. The Bureau projects there will be a need for an additional 29,000 by 2018. Even then, the number of vacant positions that should still be around by that time will be keeping PAs “double dipping” for some time to come.

Pharmacy Schools Offer Important Medical Education

There are a number of accredited pharmacy schools and colleges in the US where you can learn to be a professional pharmacist (Doctor of Pharmacy or PharmD). Good pharmacy training can lead you to licensure and an important medical career, dispensing prescribed medications and advising patients about prescription drug interactions and potential side effects.

It takes a lot of drive and determination to become a licensed pharmacist. Every state in the US requires doctors of pharmacy to have a license, which can be obtained only after successfully graduating from a college that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (some states have additional licensure requirements).

The doctorate degree in pharmacy can take up to 7 years or more to complete, including 2-3 years of related study prior to enrolling in a 4-year graduate program. Most accredited colleges will require applicants to pass the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) in order to qualify for enrollment. Some good preparation for enrollment can be very helpful, such as pre-pharmacy courses in mathematics and natural sciences, including chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

If you are looking to gain pharmacy certification, it is important to understand that certification is not a requirement for pharmacists, except in cases where they may wish to be certified in a specific area of pharmaceutical medicine, such as psychiatric, oncology, nuclear, or nutritional support. However, those seeking to become pharmacy technicians (pharmacy assistants) must be certified.

Look to medical schools and teaching hospitals to offer training at the graduate level. These colleges and universities can provide you with the expertise you will need to be a successful practitioner of pharmaceutical medicine.

Nursing Health Care Education Program

The Nursing Health Care Education Program is one of the emerging education programs that have gained tremendous recognition in last few years. It is the program that is designed for health care and nursing professionals who are keenly interested in making careers in educational or service settings. In fact, it is an ideal course and meant for those who want to continue their nursing education or pursue further job opportunities in nursing.

The study of Healthcare Education generally center on teaching and leadership techniques. Coursework in this program usually aims towards curriculum development, and learning strategies. In addition to this, the course also act as the groundwork of knowledge for the novice nurse educators and let them learn more about new applications and practical nursing skills. Educators who are new to the profession or those looking to revive their nursing or teaching techniques can surely find this program valuable. The coursework also covers complex nursing theory and research that further set the groundwork for nurses to influence the future of health care professionals or nurses.

Nurses who are looking to make a career in administration in the United States can find this program more beneficial when applying for supervisory positions. The program even helps advanced practice nurses to prepare and apply in leadership roles in nursing practice and educational settings. Most nurses encounter this subject in a post-graduate setting as they prepare for a career in education or administration. In fact, it is one of the few health care education programs that let nurse improve his or her medical knowledge, focusing on teaching strategies as well as leadership and supervising techniques.

There are many universities and colleges that offer nursing programs in health care education. Some colleges even provide certification programs in nursing healthcare education, which is planned to be continuing education for someone who already has a minimum of a BS in Nursing. Nonetheless, these days there are online health care education programs that can be studied without traveling to college campus. But, before registering in an online program one must check whether the university or college is actually accredited and reputed one. Nonetheless, whichever route an individual choose, he or she must ensure to get trained from experienced faculty who can teach the ins and outs of the nursing skillfulness.

Medical Education Pathways – Part 2

PART TWO – THERE IS A SOLUTION

Before I delve into the main benefits of an international medical program, I must draw attention to what it is NOT and what we are not promoting here. When referring to international medical schools I am NOT referring to renovated apartment buildings on tropical islands where there are usually less than 30 faculty and students mostly teach themselves. I am referring to large, international universities that are hundreds of years old with many departments and hundreds of professors on the faculty – many of whom have PhD level training. I am talking about universities that have been teaching students from their own countries for many years, and are opening their doors to international students.

The difference is significant, because the level of instruction and the quality of education are vastly different. Foreign medical graduates have had a mixed reception in the States. It is important to realize that we are now talking about a new generation of students who are deciding to proactively move ahead in their educational careers. They are going to medical school after high school – taking the bull by the horns. They are honors students at the top of their classes. They are finishing earlier than their US counterparts and performing as well on their medical board exams. These are NOT the same students who find themselves with dubious options at the end of an unsuccessful undergraduate experience. Unfortunately those students who do not look at their options early in the educational pathway will not have many options later.

Genuine international medical universities provide solutions in the following areas: accessibility of education, length of study, affordability, hands-on experience and global recognition

ACCESSIBILITY
All over the world, schools function within the ‘economics of education’. U.S. colleges and universities are increasing the numbers of international students because they are “full-pay” and “cash only”. The same is true for higher educational institutions around the world. In almost every country, international students mean more money for day-to-day operation, expansion, research and development. This is the reality of ‘educational economics’ and it tends to favor international applicants. That is good news for US students seeking to enroll overseas. Furthermore, many international medical schools have a holistic approach to evaluating applicants where weakness in one part of an application can be made-up by strength in another part. All of this bodes well for US high school students who want to study abroad. It means that US students can have access to very high quality education overseas. This type of education in the US would be extremely competitive for US students wanting to study in the States.

Another advantage for US students looking to go overseas for medical school is they do not have to take the MCAT (Medical College Aptitude Test). Around the world, schools take a broader view of international applicants including transcripts, performance trends, personal statements, letters of recommendation, placement tests and personal interviews. Finally, in most countries with international programs, the school system is supported by the government; and most foreign governments have large budgets for education. They have the ability to expand facilities in order to accommodate larger numbers of students, which means that there is less competition between students for admission since there are more available seats.

TIME.
The US and Canada are almost the only countries in the world that have the system of four-year undergraduate + four-year graduate education. Concerning medical education in the US, almost all medical schools are recommending one year of experience in the field before applying to medical school. For most students, that means four years of undergraduate plus one year of field-experience plus four years of medical school; or nine years to get an MD degree. In most countries in Europe and Asia, students go onto (extended) graduate study immediately after high school. There is no formal undergraduate education; instead the graduate education is from 5 to 7 years in length.

This has two distinct advantages for US students seeking to study medicine abroad: first, they can complete their medical education in 6 or 7 years after high school (compared to 9 years in the US). Students studying in Europe and Asia begin their medical education after secondary school (high school). Compared to their American counterparts, graduates from these international medical programs save something money cannot buy – 2 years of their lives. This is the solution for the question in PART ONE – this is how students can get a world-class education in less time without sacrificing content or quality.

At the same that the length of study is shortened, it is worth noting that students get to focus on the appropriate material for a longer period of time. Because the theoretical and clinical education is distributed over six or seven years and not crammed into four years, the students have the chance to learn and understand instead of simply memorizing material and regurgitating it for exams. International graduates from real universities will typically say that they were very well educated and the USMLE was not as bad as they had predicted. A trip to any hospital or clinic will be enough to see that nearly one half of all practicing physicians in the US are foreign medical graduates.

COST
Generally speaking, there are great and ancient universities around the world where the cost (tuition and room/board) is much less expensive than in the US. In Asia, for example, tuition rates begin around $5000 per year. Tuition rates in EU-standardized medical schools range from $3,500 to $12,000 to $20,000 per year – in many universities, classes are offered in English for international students. Of course, one can find famous and expensive universities, but these are not the focus of this article. We are discussing the differences between US schools and study abroad. We are focusing on the opportunities that can be found when doing some smart shopping for a higher education. By selecting educational institutions based on quality of education and degree conferred, students can have the best of both worlds. They can enjoy a wonderful study abroad experience, graduate with a globally recognized degree while saving time and money. Availability of such programs makes it financially possible for many families to provide their children with a high quality, fully-accredited and affordable medical education.

PRACTICE
Most international medical schools provide students with a practical education. Students in international medical schools get valuable and useful ‘hands-on’ experience that their American counterparts do not get until after graduation, in residency. For example, there is little chance of a medical student being allowed to do surgery or deliver a baby in the US, while it is common (if not required) for students to learn these skills in medical school in other countries. Since medicine is a ‘hands-on’ profession, this is logically the most effective way for students to learn – just think about it.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
After successful completion of the Board Exams (USMLE), international medical graduates are allowed to join a residency in the States. Graduates from a medical school within the EU can automatically practice in any other EU country with no extra certification – or in the U.S. after passing the USMLE and completing a residency. Thus international medical degrees enable graduates to play a more active role in global healthcare picture, such as WHO – World Health Organization, Doctors Without Borders, and International Red Cross.

There has been a shift in the system of ‘importing’ international grads to the US. There used to be many extra hurdles for IMG’s to clear in order to get licensed in the US. Today, due to severe and dangerous physician shortages, the medical credentialing board in the US has dropped all the extra requirements of foreign grads. IMG’s have to pass the same exams as US grads. There are no extra hurdles. In fact, the impending doctor shortages are so severe and dangerous that the US credentialing board has removed the English language proficiency requirement as a separate requirement. There is no longer a separate English language exam for IMG’s. This is illustrative of the desire the US has to attract IMG’s. Grades and exam scores being equal, IMG’s with US passports will be at the front of the line to come back, since the residency programs prefer not to sponsor foreign IMG’s visas.

Medical Education Pathways – Part 1

PART ONE – REALITIES OF MEDICAL EDUCATION IN THE STATES

American medical schools have insufficient capacity to train the doctors needed by the growing and aging US population. In 2006, U.S. medical schools received almost 400,000 applications for 14,000 spots. Combined BA/MD programs report even more discouraging numbers: a well known seven-year program in the Midwest received 32,000 applications for 40 spots in 2006. We do not have a shortage of intelligent students who would like to become physicians. We simply do not have an educational system capable of helping them. It is an unfortunate paradox that the US imports thousands of foreign medical graduates each year, while so many of our own students that are denied this opportunity.

The financial burden of higher education today is staggering. Higher education is simply not affordable in the US, and financial assistance is drying-up quickly in today’s economy. A four-year undergraduate education in the United States can cost from $60,000 to $200,000. The tuition costs alone (not counting books, room & board) for a medical education in the U.S. range from $20,000-$65,000 per year. After four years of college and four years of medical school, young graduates have typically accumulated debts of $200,000 to $400,000. It is no wonder that many new doctors choose not to enter lower paying specialties like pediatrics or family practice – they simply need high salaries to pay off their loans. In any case, most young doctors spend the first 20 years of their working life paying off half-million dollar student loans. Although a few lucky students may obtain financial assistance to get an education they wouldn’t normally afford, the majority of medical students are from affluent families. In the end it means that many promising students cannot become doctors if they cannot afford the education. This is another unfortunate consequence of the US model. The lack of affordable education is typical of the American system, and is one of the many reasons that the US is not even ranked in the top 20 nations in the world for education.

American medical schools offer limited practical experience in certain hands-on fields. Due to many issues, mainly malpractice laws and low risk-tolerance in the United States, many medical students do not have the opportunity to try their hands at more invasive and complicated procedures such as surgery, obstetrics and delivery of newborns. In many residency programs, even first-year residents fight for the opportunity to get hands-on experience. Thus, for the most part, American medical students learn largely through observation or working on mannequins. In any hands-on profession, it is better to learn by doing, rather than by watching. Since medicine is a hands-on profession, the ‘learning-by-observation’ model may not be the most effective way for students to learn.

“Length of study” is an interesting topic to discuss, because the American model poses two separate and significant obstacles. First, the American students begin their medical education after completing four years of undergraduate study. Medical school in the United States is an additional four year time investment. Thus, the conventional educational system in America requires eight years of study after graduation from high school. Due to the extremely competitive nature of medical school admissions, however, many students choose to take a year after undergraduate to augment their resume and thus increase their chances of admission in medical school. More and more, students are doing one year of work between undergrad and medical school, making the total time investment 9 years.

Second, the actual graduate level medical education is given over the span of only 4 years. Trying to learn the huge amounts of material necessary to graduate in 4 years is stressful to say the least – almost unrealistic for most students. Moreover, it forces memorization and cramming instead of learning and understanding. A better system would allow more time for students to study medicine while shortening the overall time investment. How is that possible? The solution to the ‘length of study’ problem as well as solutions to the other issues discussed above will be addresses in PART 2 of this three-part discussion on medical education.

At the risk of stating the obvious, I will emphasize that doctors necessarily interact with people. It is not a profession like computer science or engineering, where the main focus is on an inanimate object. Being a physician involves interacting with people. Furthermore, relationships between doctors and patients are culturally dependant. In fact, medicine in general is a culturally and geographically dependant field. You are likely to find patients with different complains in different countries, and in different areas within a country. Doctors and patients relate to each other better when they share similar values and ideas about illness, health and recovery. We have all had the experience of seeing a doctor who just doesn’t seem to understand our feelings. Even more frustrating is a doctor and patient who don’t understand each other because of language barrier, but this is only one manifestation of the culturally dependant nature of the practice of medicine. The point of all this is to say that it is better for a society to have doctors that grew-up in that society. On average, they will have better relationships with their patients and everyone will benefit from this relationship. The fact is that our country has to import doctors between 80,000 and 200,000 doctors in the next 20 years. It is arguably evident that it is better to send our students out for education and then import them back, rather than import doctors who have to learn the language, customs and typical American ideals of illness and recovery.

Some New Additions to Medical School Programs

A list of Medical School Educational Programs is available in the Curriculum Directory of the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) which includes courses, combined degree programs and clerkships. The journals of the AAMC also provide the latest information about the curriculum available and they are available in most school libraries.

The AAMC Curriculum Directory has a list of the medical student education programs at the 126 U.S. and 16 Canadian medical schools with the details of each program. A student can not only search for the required courses but he can also check out the instructional and curricular innovations. The studies include graduation and post graduation studies in medicine.

Intensive reviews of these educational programs and instructional methods are carried out from time to time by medical schools in order to encourage improvement of medical education. As a result, an interdisciplinary approach to the presentation of individual course content has emerged, and the functional applications of structure have gained more emphasis.

Medical school students have more opportunities for independent study and the coursework can be elective. An interesting development in the curriculum has been the individual approach, whereby separate learning tracks of varying durations have been established at various schools. This approach has subsequently been adapted by most of the medical schools and has been integrated in their program.

The main aim of any Medical School Program is to turn out ethical and culturally competent physicians. Excellence in medical education is of prime importance, and that is why the program includes acquisition of clinical skills, professional attitudes and building up a strong knowledge base.

Many programs introduce first year students to clinical experiences to encourage learning and professional growth. Medical School programs which provide graduate medical education train students professionally and clinically. They are taught the humane care of patients and learn to take responsibility as resident physicians as early as possible.

The Academic Programs of Medical Schools provide details about Graduate Medical Education, Graduate Programs, Postdoctoral Programs and ways of continuing medical education. Medical School Programs offer education and training in many subjects of biomedical sciences.

If the university has a research campus, research opportunities are made available to the Medical School students. Some research subjects offered are biochemistry, biotechnology, cell biology, virology and cellular immunology. Seminars and journal clubs have to be done in addition to course work.

Postdoctoral studies are also included in the medical school programs. Training of postdoctoral appointees has been a part of the program in recent years. A list of seminars is offered for them so that they can hear about the research studies of their peers and also get feedback from experts and professors regarding further studies.

The Nursing Health Care Education Program

The Nursing Health Care Education Program has received a lot of recognition in the recent past as one of the fast growing fields in education. It is essentially meant for health care and nursing professionals who are keen on developing a career in education or service. This course is great for those who wish to further their education in nursing or even for those who wish to pursue better job opportunities in the field of nursing.

The curriculum of Health Care Education is largely centered around teaching and development of leadership skills. Courses in this program deal with curriculum setting and strategies for acquiring learning skills. Additionally, this course is hugely helpful to those who have recently become nursing educators and provides them with knowledge about new applications and practical nursing skills.

Teaching staff who are new to this profession or those who wish to improve their nursing or teaching skills will also find this course very useful. There is a lot of complex nursing theory and research that is covered in this course which prepares the nurses to really grow and develop as future health care professionals of great capability. If there are nurses with plans to grow in an administrative position and would also like to apply for supervisory positions, passing this program can give them a decided edge.

Even nurses with longstanding practical careers can take advantage of this course to develop leadership skills and teaching abilities. Generally this course is covered when nurses acquire a post graduate degree in order to prepare for a career in teaching or administration.

Of all the health care courses, this one not only focuses on furthering medical knowledge but also development of teaching skills and leadership qualities. Plenty of colleges and universities in the US offer a nursing program in health care education. For those who already have a BS in Nursing, some colleges even offer a certificate program in nursing health care education as an opportunity for continuing education.

There are even online health care education programs that one can take and avoid the headache of traveling to a college campus. Of course, you need to take precaution to check whether the college as well as the course are accredited and have a decent reputation.

The Medical Billing Programs That Can Be Obtained From the Right Schools

Health is something that we never find very important unless we experience the real sense of being ill, or the moment when we actually losing it. Talking about health, there are many kinds of professions that deals with the health care, one of them is the career in medical billing. Some people might think that it is not very important. However, just like health, the impact can be devastating when the medical billing does not exist. For the health care provider, their work is to ensure that the professional of the providers are paid for every service that they give to the patients. Meanwhile, for the patients they make sure that the insurance claims are submitted correctly so that the patients who already in the state of being in physical and mental difficulty are not getting more burden by bad news in financial support.

There are some considerations that you should make if you are interested to have career in medical billing programs. The first step that you need to take is by choosing the right school that offers you best skill and knowledge. It can be done by looking for the medical programs schools that are already accredited. By deciding to study in the accredited programs school you have more advantage especially if you want to take further education when you have graduated there since it will be easier to transfer the credits to a different school.

Moreover you need to decide the specific medical billing programs that you are interested the most. You can choose whether you want to have distance learning or simply attending the class, or you can even choose the both of medical programs. These are called hybrid programs. You need also to choose the subjects that have more passion in. for example on specific training such as medical documentation; health insurance claims forms, billing management, etc.

Medical Education in Russia

Medical education in Russia usually lasts 6 years for an undergraduate MD or MBBS. The curriculum for the first two years is the same at all Faculties. It includes preclinical and fundamental medical sciences that are the essential basis for any medical specialty. Medical specialization starts at the third year of studies; the curriculum includes propedeutics, biochemistry and pathology (pathological anatomy and pathological physiology) clinical and special subjects, depending on the orientation.

The principal feature of medical education in Russia for both the Faculties of curative medicine and pediatrics is the introduction of a new approach to the training of internists and pediatricians that implies a two-year continuing primary specialization, one year while at the institution and the other year after graduation. The nature of medical education in russia and its curriculum at these Faculties is designed to cover all the general medical education within five years.

During the third, fourth, and fifth years, students perform clinical work as nurses, feldshers, and clinical assistants. In the sixth year, medical students take their primary specialization in one of the following clinical subjects: Faculty of Curative Medicine (surgery, obstetrics, and gynecology) of Faculty of Pediatrics (pediatrics, including child infectious diseases, and pediatric surgery, including orthopedics). Sub specialization in clinical areas is not an option during the undergraduate program, as profound knowledge of the main clinical subjects is believed to be fundamental for adequate training of doctors.

After 6 years of medical education in Russia, students pass a state examination according to the curriculum, obtain a Doctor’s Diploma, and complete a one year internship in medical units under the supervision of specialists. Instruction in ophthalmology, otolaryngology, dietology, climatotherapy, endocrinology, clinical biochemistry, physiotherapy, and such aspects of surgery as oncology and neurosurgery is provided by the appropriate departments.

The instructional methodology in Russian medical schools includes lectures by the leading specialists and regular practical classes throughout the course of studies.

Training programs at medical schools in Russia are adjusted to the needs of population in accordance with health priorities. Thus, when in the 1950s the non-communicable diseases became a real health problem; these subjects were strengthened and introduced more widely into curricula. When the role of primary health care became more evident in the 1970s, medical education in Russia became adapted to this target-problem.

In Russian medical schools following the annual examinations at the end of the fourth and fifth years, senior students of all Faculties usually spend the breaks between semesters in professional training. Students are taught to use their knowledge, develop their professional skills, master up-to-date methods of diagnostics and treatment, and become familiar with all other work they will do in the future. It should be emphasized that at least 25 percent of the time within the training program of all specialties is devoted to practice at the primary health care level.

Finally after completion of medical education in Russia, students must pass state examinations in general and special medical subjects (depending on the orientation of a particular Faculty) to receive a diploma as physician of general medicine at the Faculty of Curative Medicine (VRAC), as pediatrician at the Faculty of Pediatrics, as sanitary officer at the Faculty of Hygiene, as stomatologist at the Faculty of Stomatology, or as pharmacist at the pharmaceutical institution or faculty.

An Overview of Medical Education and Training

With a growing population and the worldwide need for curers and administrators needed to run medical facilities, the need for medical professionals all over the world is greater than ever. Today the medical and healthcare profession has become one of the world’s largest industries with a vast variety of specializations and supporting fields, involving everything from administrative and clerical work to medical research, development and technology. Indeed in the new millennia, healthcare has become a priority area for governments and corporations all over the world to invest in.

Overview

Medical education is the internationally acceptable foundation of learning the healing arts and about modern procedures and medicine used today. Every country in the world has its own, internationally acceptable format for the teaching and training of medicine and healthcare students and each has its own – closely similar – methodology to train and qualify (and license) practitioners entering into this field. All over the world, there are many great traditional medical training institutions with a philosophy focused on the comprehensive development of the future generations of experts and industry leaders in this field, and prospective medical students have a variety of choices when looking for the right institution to join, and the right Doctors to learn from.

Entry into the medical field

All over the world, different curricula are followed and entrance into medical schools for training requires prospective students to fulfill certain criteria.

- Undergraduate entry (European and Asian countries)

Undergraduate entry usually requires students to have completed at least a high school (or A levels in the UK) certificate and sometimes a year of preparatory study before entrance into dedicated medical education.

- Second entry (first professional degree – USA and Canada)

A second entry degree is one for which a student is required to have completed between 2-3 years of study (graduate level) as a pre-requisite for entrance into medical education. This degree is considered as a ‘first professional degree’ (like a PhD or MS degree) after the first degree is completed in a sciences related discipline.

- Graduate entry – Graduate entry program (GEP or GMP)

These are medical programs, occurring outside of the US and Canada, where entry is offered to college or university graduates who have already completed a degree and have taken an aptitude test (MCAT etc).

Post Graduate Education

Newly trained doctors are required to complete a certain period of practical training, usually with a hospital or clinic. Before doctors can become registered as licensed practitioners anywhere in the world, they are required to complete this supervised ‘hands-on’ training period (called a residency or internship – aka ‘scrubs’ program) which usually takes a year.

- Continued medical education (CME)

Continued medical education is a necessity in many parts of the world for doctors to maintain their practice licenses. This education is undertaken periodically by physicians and other practitioners (like medical technicians and nursing professionals) in order to maintain an up-to-date knowledge on current advances, modern practices and the latest medical technology (some examples are; IV Certification)

- Core medical education and technical medical training

Core medical training, provided at traditional medical institutions, is divided into two separate forms. These are called;

- Preclinical

These constitute of the basic sciences having to do with the human body and its functions and a deeply detailed study of pharmacology, physiology, pathology, anatomy, biochemistry etc.

- Clinical sciences

These involve a study of procedural sciences and clinical medicine and constitutes of studies in internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and finally, surgery.

Other than these core areas of training and education, there are opportunities in the medical industry as medical technicians. This alternative medical line includes the following major work areas;

Central Service Technician and Surgical Technician: An expert on sterilization procedures for surgery theaters and medical surgery instruments. The work includes assisting in surgery, sterilization and proper handling of equipment.

Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy technician: This technician collects blood, saliva and urine samples and processes them for testing and actually performs these tests as well.

Dialysis Technician: trained to perform dialysis procedures.

Medical Assisting professionals: Perform administrative duties in running healthcare facilities and perform tasks related to basic patient care (prospective students require only a high school diploma in the US).

Medical Technology: Lab-work including running tests for diagnosis etc. this field requires a 4 year degree and certification from the relevant national association.

Sports Medicine professional: This area is relevant to orthopedics, biomechanics, physical and massage therapy and nutrition. In order to practice in this area, a full degree and license is required.