First it requires a university degree, covering the required coursework in many areas including biology, chemistry, physics, math. I graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Biological Sciences and History.
Acceptance into medical school is required, which is a competitive process involving good grades, medical and service experience and good MCAT scores. I graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.
After medical school, exams also have to be passed in order to be granted a medical license to practice in a particular state.
During medical school, students choose which branch of medicine they would like to study, whether it be orthopaedic surgery, radiology, pediatrics, etc. Some fields such as Neurosurgery, Dermatology, Head and Neck surgery and Orthopaedic surgery are more competitive to obtain a training position.
The training in individualized fields is called residency. Some last 3 years, some up to 6. Orthopaedic surgery requires 5 years. I underwent residency training in orthopaedic surgery at the University of California at Irvine Medical Center in southern California.
About 60% of orthopaedic surgery residency program graduates choose to undergo additional specialty training within orthopaedic surgery, in fields such as joint replacement, hand surgery, spine surgery, pediatric orthopaedics, orthopaedic oncology. I choose to specialize in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, and I spent a year at the Fowler-Kennedy Clinic at the Unversity of Western Ontario in Canada.
After all training is completed, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery requires passing both a written and oral examination in orthopaedic surgery. I also chose to sit for an examination in 2007 for a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine.
As you can see, it is a long road to pursue a profession in Orthopaedic surgery, but it is important since it is taking care of the health of others.
The best advice I can give you is to study hard, since excellent grades open doors and bad grades close them. Training at the best centers will make a better physician. Also, in every step remember you are serving others and it is most important to put their care first.
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