The long road to being a neurosurgeon starts with medical school. This is a very important stage as it is the basis for all subsequent subspeciality training in Neurosurgery. This article will take a look at the length of medical school particularly for those who want to become neurosurgeons and what is be taught during these years as well.
Duration of Medical School
Typical Length: 4 years
Every medical school takes about four years to get done. Our commitment to this is the same across all disciplines, including neurosurgery. Preclinical years: The first two years of medical school are traditionally classified as the preclinical phase.
Preclinical Years (Years 1-2)
What is taught in the first two years of medical school.net_ADC forState:UIControlStateNormal 0 The foundation knowledge needed for clinical practice, this partMedical School: What's to Come by Jennica Baynes Blog | Articleby Direction. This is where students will spend hours and days studying the basics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology (disease processes), pharmacology,... These classes are necessary to help lay the foundation of medical knowledge that is more practical and theoretical application in a clinical setting.
Clinical Years (Years 3-4)
This is the part of medical school that involves seeing patients and working with them in a clinical setting. This involves working as a medical student (across sometimes surgery, internal medicine and their specialties such as cardiology etc among other areas) Rotations in neurology and neurosurgery are essential early windows into the future field of those considering a career as a Neurosurgeon They are key for the practical application of medical knowledge and in developing important people skills with patients and other healthcare professionals.
What Happens Next After Medical School - A Journey to Neurosurgery
And finally, after medical school all over again, a neurosurgery residency (which is much longer than most residencies).
Neurosurgical Residency
Duration: 7 years
A neurosurgical residency is usually a total of seven years. It consists of dedicated training in the discipline of neurosurgery, which provides residents with exposure to extensively learn surgical techniques, patient care and neurological diagnostics at an advanced level. This is the point at which medical school graduates are starting to specialize in neurosurgery, during residency.
Optional Fellowship
Some neurosurgeons opt to also complete fellowship programs after residency. These are additional one to two years programs that focus on a sub-specialty of neurosurgery, such as pediatric neurosurgery or spinal surgery or cerebrovascular.
Board Certification
After completing a residency, all neurosurgeons must pass an incredibly difficult board certification exam given by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Board certification is a demonstration of the skills and knowledge that each neurosurgeon has obtained within their field.
Ongoing Education
Neurosurgery is a field where you have to be continuously learning and adapting over the course of your career. Advancements in medical science and technological breakthroughs play a crucial role for neurosurgeons to offer best patient care and remain abreast of new developments within the specialty.
If you are interested in learning more about the long road to becoming a neurosurgeon, check how much education does a neurosurgeon need. This resource further explains the educational pathways and prerequisites needed to thrive within this demanding field of medicine.