Article at a Glance

• • Cardiothoracic surgeons focus their efforts on the organs, bony structure and tissues that form the chest cavity.
  • Many years of schooling are required to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Patience and intense focus are keys to remaining dedicated and consistent.
  • To be successful as a cardiothoracic surgeon, a person must possess physical skills, leadership abilities, and emotional capacity.
  • Cardiothoracic surgery is comprised of four main areas: general surgery, heart and lung transplants, surgery specific to adults, and congenital surgery. Within those areas, a surgeon can choose an area of the chest cavity to focus on.
  • The earnings potential and personal fulfillment for a cardiothoracic surgeon may more than offsets the years of schooling and associated expenses.
  • Advances in cardiothoracic surgery make this young and growing medical field safer than it has ever been. Four specific advances have improved survival rates for patients.

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What is the focus of a cardiothoracic surgeon?

To become a cardiothoracic surgeon, you first have to be interested in the organs, bony structures and tissues that form the chest cavity. A cardiothoracic surgeon treats and provides surgical interventions for diseases occurring in these areas.

Cardiac and thoracic surgery are separate surgical specialties in some countries. But in the United States and the United Kingdom, they are usually combined. When considered separately, cardiac surgery involves surgery to the heart and large blood vessels. Thoracic surgery involves surgery to the lungs and other structures within the chest cavity.

Education needed to become a cardiothoracic surgeon

The path to become a cardiothoracic surgeon is long, but rewarding. The first step is education.

Most students endeavoring to become cardiothoracic surgeons follow a road similar to this:

• Obtain a 4-year undergraduate degree in pre-med with an emphasis on science.
• Attend and graduate from a 4-year medical school.
• Complete a 5-year general surgery residency program.
• Enter a 2- or 3-year cardiothoracic surgery residency program, or enter a 6-year integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency.

Residencies in all surgeries and surgical specialties are competitive, so doing very well in medical school is vital if you want to be selected.

Some cardiothoracic surgeons choose to do additional training in a subspecialized area like heart and lung surgeries. However, with one exception, additional training in a specific area is option. The single exception is congenital heart surgery, which mandates completion of an additional 1-year fellowship.

What are the attributes that I need to become a cardiothoracic surgeon?

Cardiothoracic surgery is a highly demanding role for which you need a unique blend of skills and personal qualities. You will also need significant leadership expertise. In addition to the characteristics possessed by all successful surgeons, a cardiothoracic surgeon also requires skills in the following areas.

Physical

• Exceptional hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
• High perception of spatial relationships among and between objects.
• Ability to work long hours without a break.
• Undivided focus in spite of potential distractions.

Leadership

• The capacity to remain calm and level-headed in very stressful situations.
• The aptitude to monitor developing conditions in and out of the operating room.
• The foresight to anticipate potential issues and complications.
• The ability to thrive under pressure.
• The desire and proficiency to lead and direct a team.
• The capability to inspire confidence in others.

Emotional

• The resilience to cope with unexpectedly changing circumstances.
• A supportive disposition for the patient, their family, and your team in sometimes problematic circumstances.

What types of conditions do cardiothoracic surgeons treat?

Since the late 1940s, cardiothoracic surgery has experience brisk growth and fast-moving technological changes. The specialty is considered young and evolving as science and research reveal more about the cardiothoracic area of the body.

The field of cardiothoracic surgery includes:

• Adult cardiac surgery.
• Congenital cardiac surgery.
• General thoracic surgery.
• Heart and lung transplant surgery.

Cardiac surgeons perform the following types of surgeries:

• Aortic surgery – replaces enlarged or damaged blood vessels leaving the heart.
• Coronary artery bypass surgery – bypasses narrowed coronary arteries, restoring blood flow to the heart.
• Heart valve surgery – repairs and replaces usually thin or leaking heart valves.

Surgeries completed by thoracic surgeons include:

• Pectus surgery – repairs chest wall deformities.
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) – treats some thoracic disorders without opening the chest.
• Lung surgery – inflates collapsed lungs and removes abnormal tissues from them.

Congenital cardiac surgeons treat diseases and correct physical conditions present in babies and children who have suffered with them from birth. These surgeons repair the following types of conditions:

• When the aortic or aortic and pulmonary valve is narrower than usual.
• When there is a a hole between two of the heart’s chambers.
• When the arteries are transposed.

A cardiothoracic surgeon’s earning potential

Cardiothoracic surgery is not for the faint-of-heart. Long years of training, working, studying, and practical surgical experience require intense focus. A residency as well as years practicing as a cardiothoracic surgeon are required. That’s how you become the best surgeon you can be in this delicate specialty. Given the time and financial resources needed, you may be interested in knowing what the return could be on your investment.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2016, physicians practicing primary care earned a total median annual compensation of $251,578. Physicians practicing in medical specialties received a total yearly median salary of $425,509. It is important to note that BLS figures may not include the income of doctors and surgeons in private practice.

Earning potential may increase with additional certifications. To become certified in cardiothoracic surgery you must complete a specialty residency and pass exams from the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS). The ABTS administers the same tests for all heart surgeons and thoracic surgeons, regardless of their scope of practice. If you wish, after achieving general certification, you can qualify as a subspecialist in congenital heart surgery through passing an additional exam.

Besides earnings, cardiothoracic surgeons often see some immediate and life-changing results of their work. When patients are able to return to most, if not all of their activities, the work becomes emotionally rewarding and filled with purpose.

Watch this video of a cardiothoracic surgeon opening up a patient’s chest cavity:

You will have to watch it on Youtube since it’s an age restricted video…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtVo-p2T2XY

 

Advances in cardiothoracic surgery

The heart has intrigued mankind throughout history, ascribing to the heart mystical and spiritual attributes. As an organ, the heart has always occupied an elevated place in the human body. To some extent it’s because the heart, like the brain, is a vital organ. In other cases it’s because we associate the heart with many emotions transcending our ability to put them into words. So the heart becomes mystical and almost unknowable in nature.

Consequently, the ability to repair the heart is important if for no other reason than the need to stay alive. If the heart stops functioning, a person will soon lose consciousness and will die within minutes without medical intervention. In the early days of surgery, heart surgery was very challenging. When conducted, there was a high death rate. Several advances have improved its surgical procedures and survival rates. A few are:

• Heart-lung machine. The heart-lung machine is a medical apparatus that can take over the functions of the heart for many hours (operated by a perfusionist) giving the heart surgeon hours of time to operate on the heart with very little or no bleeding.
• Cooling techniques. The development of mechanisms cooling down the temperature of the heart during a surgical procedure gives the cardiac surgeon more time to perform quality surgery on a heart that is motionless. At the conclusion of surgery, the heart is warmed and “restarted,” which resumes the pumping functions of the heart.
• Replacing aortic valves without surgery [1]. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers a way to fix stiff, narrowed aortic valves without open-heart surgery. The technique delivers the new valve through a thin tube called a catheter that is threaded into an artery in the groin and gently maneuvered into the heart. People who have undergone TAVR had a higher one-year survival rate than people who had surgery to replace the valve. Currently, TAVR is approved for people considered too sick or high risk for valve replacement surgery.
• Wireless sensors for severe heart failure [1]. A new device helps doctors keep tabs on people with acute heart failure by measuring pressure in the pulmonary artery, which transports blood from the heart to the lungs. The CardioMEMS HF System is implanted in the pulmonary artery. From there it wirelessly sends data to a doctor, who can then adjust the person’s treatment as needed—often without an office visit. The goal is to prevent hospitalization for flare-ups of heart failure symptoms.

The following is a quote from one of the pioneers in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Nicholas T. Kouchoukos, M.D. “If you are a student or resident with intelligence, drive, and stamina, who loves challenges, hard work and positive outcomes, who is results-oriented, loves working with your hands as well as your brain, and enjoys caring for others and interacting with highly competent physicians and other health care professionals, you should strongly consider becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon…” Click here for full article.

Best wishes for your success!

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Further reading:

https://www.dicardiology.com/content/blogs/8-cardiovascular-technologies-watch-2020

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I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Indeed yes!

The Apprentice Corporation® has developed an online course for future doctors to assist them towards fulfilling their dreams of becoming great medical professionals. The For Future Doctors Simulation Kit and Foundation Medical Course has helped launch the career of thousands of want-to-be doctors!

Launch your medical career today!

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The Apprentice Doctor® Suturing Course and Kit is the resource that will teach you How to Suture Wounds in a couple of hours! If you want to become a Surgeon – why not learn how to suture wounds now?

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The Apprentice Doctor® Phlebotomy Course and Kit is the resource that will teach you How to confidently perform phlebotomy procedures in a couple of hours! If you want to become a great medical professional – why not learn how perform venipuncture procedures now?

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Cardiology: Unlock ECG Diagnostic Skills and Save Lives on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

Also, explore the Cardiology Bundle (ECG Card + Pulse Oximeter) on Apprentice Doctor Kits.

 

Advice to Anesthetists: Lose anything you like – but NEVER-EVER lose your patient’s airway!

Apprentice Doctor Club / Chapter: Module Three: The Airway – it’s all about Oxygen!

The respiratory system is the bodily system responsible for moving Oxygen from the atmosphere and facilitating the transfer of Oxygen into the bloodstream, as well as moving Carbon Dioxide from the bloodstream into the atmosphere.

This might be a bit simplistically stated – as the respiratory system will serve for carrying other useful gasses like anesthetic gasses from the vaporizer in the anesthetic machine to the bloodstream and it will get rid of any other waste gasses e.g. alcohol.

Alcohol in the blood (following drinking alcohol-containing beverages) will also evaporate from the bloodstream into the alveoli of the lungs – thus one can smell when someone had too much to drink. Traffic officers use breathalyzers to measure the evaporated alcohol from a driver’s lungs thus getting a very accurate estimate of the blood-alcohol level.

Figure 1: Have a look at the different part of the upper and lower respiratory system

(Illustration credit: Wikipedia)

Air takes the following route from the outside environment up to the small air-sacs (alveoli) in the lungs:

Outside atmosphere nasal passages (occasional the oral cavity)  the pharynx (throat)  the larynx (voice-box) here it will pass the vocal cords  trachea (windpipe)  bronchi  bronchiole  alveoli of the lungs  bloodstream

Now the throat (pharynx) is an incredible part of the human anatomy. Consider the following:

 

The pharynx is shared by two systems of the body – the respiratory system and the digestive system. One breathes air and swallows food – and rarely does it happens that food slips into the larynx! This is due to a set of complex reflexes and an intricate valve structure called the epiglottis.

Have a look at the swallowing process as captured radiographically

Also consider the unbelievable control it takes by professional singers to control the vocal cords producing the variations of exact frequencies, volume and quality of sound – indeed developing his/her voice into an immensely sophisticated art form!

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To complete the fun practical Projects in Module Three, you will need:

Your Apprentice Doctor Kit

Study the Respiratory System on the CD-ROM and then do the following projects:

PROJECT 33: Determine the Respiratory Rate

PROJECT 34: Listen to a person’s Respiratory Sounds

PROJECT 35: Differentiate between various types of Breathing Movements

The cardiovascular and the respiratory systems work intimately together to get Oxygen to each and every cell of the human body. One might say that the respiratory system relies on the cardiovascular system to supply it with a constant flow of blood. Without this constant flow, the respiratory system cannot do its work.

Let’s look a condition called a lung embolus.

But first – let’s get 3 definitions well understood:

Thrombus: A blood clot in a blood vessel or within the heart.

Embolus: Something that travels through the bloodstream, lodges in a blood vessel and blocks it. Examples of emboli are a detached blood clot, a clump of bacteria, and foreign material such as air.

A lung or pulmonary embolus is a blood clot that has been carried through the blood into the pulmonary artery – the main blood vessel from the heart to the lung – or one of its branches, plugging that vessel.

If the Respiratory System intrigues you – you may consider becoming an Anesthetist.

Have a look at the following links:

Becoming an Anesthetist

Becoming a surgeon

One of the main responsibilities of an anesthetist is to ensure that the patient is receiving enough Oxygen during a general anesthetic – and therefore to always ensure an intact airway (guaranteed path of Oxygen flow to the lungs). One of the key skills in ensuring an intact airway is endotracheal intubation (placing an IT tube down the throat of the patient into the trachea – to administer Oxygen and anesthetic gasses to the patient).

Here is a great article on the human respiratory system: “ACLS Guide to the Human Respiratory System”

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Become an Apprentice Doctor:

Registration is Free! It is recommended that Apprentice Doctors start the Future Doctors Course to jump-start their careers!

Best wishes for your success!

Your Apprentice Doctor Mentor and Guide

Let us know should there be any specific questions (Contact Us)

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Pulse Oximetry Mini Course on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

 

In Module Four – Welcome to the Operating Theater: A Glimpse into Neurosurgery

First, let’s understand the key differences between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon. Though often confused, these specialties have distinct roles and training paths:

• A neurosurgeon is a surgeon specializing in brain and spinal cord surgery, with primary surgical training and secondary neurology training.
• A neurologist is a physician with medical, non-surgical training in neurology, treating conditions that don’t require surgery.

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Key Conditions:

Craniosynostosis occurs when cranial sutures prematurely fuse, affecting skull growth patterns and brain development.

Trigonocephaly, meaning ‘triangular head,’ is a specific type of craniosynostosis where the frontal bone suture fuses early, creating a triangular forehead and restricting development.

Surgical Procedure Steps:

1. Site preparation and sterile draping
2. Bi-coronal incision access
3. Strategic trepanation (drill holes)
4. Careful dura mater dissection
5. Craniotome connection of drill holes
6. Bony segment removal
7. Reshaping and fixation using modern materials
8. Stability verification
9. Surgical closure
10. Post-operative intensive care

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Practical Projects:

Required Apprentice Doctor Kit equipment:

• Examination light
• Patellar hammer
• Mirror
• Skin marker pen

Projects:

1. PROJECT 25: THE PUPIL-LIGHT REFLEX
2. PROJECT 26: THE FACIAL NERVE
3. PROJECT 27: SPINAL NERVE REFLEXES

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Career Path: Becoming a Neurosurgeon

Educational requirements in the United States:

• 4 years undergraduate education
• 4 years medical school
• 1 year internship
• 5-7 years neurosurgery residency

Fellowship Specializations:

• Pediatric neurosurgery
• Trauma/neurocritical care
• Stereotactic neurosurgery
• Surgical neuro-oncology
• Radiosurgery
• Neurovascular surgery
• Interventional neuroradiology
• Peripheral nerve surgery
• Spine surgery
• Skull base surgery
• Neuropathology
• Neuro-ophthalmology

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Insights from a Recent Neurosurgeon:

Career Path Reality Check

Typical Timeline:

• 4 years undergraduate (pre-med, MCAT)
• 4 years medical school (top grades, USMLE, research)
• 6-7 years neurosurgical residency
• 1-2 years fellowship (optional)

Key Requirements:

• Top 25% of medical school class (preferably top 10%)
• USMLE score ≥235
• Research publications
• Strong recommendation letters

Residency Experience:

• 80-100 weekly hours
• 20-30 patients daily
• High-stress environment
• Starting salary potential: $600,000+ (academic position)

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Looking Forward to Module Five: Gastroenterology

Coming up:

• The Digestive System
• Colorectal Cancer Prevention
• Medical Practical Projects
• Virtual Colonoscopy Demonstrations
• And more!

Essential for aspiring Gastroenterologists and General Surgeons!

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Register for Free! Receive official Apprentice Doctor Club Attendance Certificates!

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Best wishes for your success!

Your Apprentice Doctor Mentor and Guide

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Foundation Medical Course on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

 

The Silent Epidemic: Colorectal Cancer

Let’s look at some USA death statistics and view it in perspective?

 

Nearly 3000 people died in the horrific 9-11 attacks. Over a period of 9 years during the war in Iraq, just over 33000 American soldiers died. Every year 50 000 Americans die due to Colorectal cancer!

 

A cancerous polyp in the colon

Source: https://www.nitisurgical.com/colon_cancer_pictures.htm

Colorectal cancer can be prevented by removing precancerous polyps (abnormal growths), which can be present in the colon for as many as 10 years before invasive cancer develops.

 

When colorectal cancer is found early and treated, the 5-year relative survival rate is 90%. Because screening rates are low, less than 40% of colorectal cancers are found early.

 

One U.S. clinical trial reported a 33% reduction in colorectal cancer deaths and a 20% reduction in colorectal cancer incidence among people offered an annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT).

 

Source:  https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/statistics/screening_rates.htm

*The digestive system includes the 7.5m long tube that processes food and nutrients as well as the liver, pancreas, gallbladder. These organs break down and absorb the food we eat so that the nutrients can be transported into the bloodstream and delivered to cells throughout the body.

 

In Module 5, I would like to take you on a trip inside the human body. We will take a tour right inside the colon to examine and inspect the colon for abnormalities.

 

Definitions and principles to remember:

• Colon: The colon, or large intestine, is a long, hollow tube at the end of the digestive tract which is located in the abdomen. It acts as a waste processor, taking digested food in the form of solid waste and pushing it out of the body through the rectum and anus.
• Colorectal: Pertaining to both the colon and the rectum
• Colorectal Cancer: This type of cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum.  Not including skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and women and the second highest cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. It is highly curable when found early.
• Polyp:  A polyp is an extra piece of tissue that grows inside your body. Colonic polyps grow in the large intestine, or colon. Most polyps are not dangerous. However, some polyps may turn into cancer or already be cancer. To be safe, doctors remove polyps and test them. Polyps can be removed when a doctor examines the inside of the large intestine during a colonoscopy.
• Grading and Staging of Cancer:  The stage of a cancer is a measure of how much the cancer has grown and spread. Some cancers are also graded by looking at features of the cancer cells, using a microscope or other tests. The stage and grade of a cancer help to say how advanced it is, and how well it may respond to treatment. The general rule is – the earlier the stage and/or the lower the grade of a cancer, the better the outlook (prognosis).

Club facilitators/leaders – kindly study the information on this website:

[Click Here]

 

The following slideshow offer a lot more information:

View Slideshow on Colon Cancer

 

Watch the video showing a lecture of how a virtual colonoscopy works:

[Download Link only available to Apprentice Doctor Club Leaders and Facilitators]

With kind permission – Siemens Medical

Practical Applications:

Choose some of the following practical projects to do in the Apprentice Doctor Course:

1. PROJECT 13 SUBDIVISIONS OF THE ABDOMEN

2. PROJECT 38 GASTROINTESTINAL SOUNDS

3. PROJECT 39 EXAMINE THE ABDOMEN

4. PROJECT 44 A: NUTRITIONAL AUDIT

5. PROJECT 44 B: DETERMINE THE BMI

Colon Therapy

There is a belief that the colon is full of accumulated toxins and waste products that needs to be removed by periodic colon cleansing – is it true?

 

Colon cleansing (also known as colon therapy/colon lavage/colon hydrotherapy/ colonic irrigation) includes a number of alternative medical therapies intended to remove feces (contents of the colon) and “nonspecific toxins” from the colon. Some forms of colon hydrotherapy use tubes to inject water, sometimes mixed with herbs or with other liquids, into the colon via the anus/rectum using special equipment.

 

There is absolutely no scientific evidence to support the alleged benefits of colon cleansing.  The bowel itself is not dirty or toxic and with the exception of drugs, disease or mechanical blockage, cleanses itself naturally without assistance. Colon cleansing may even be dangerous – and can cause infection or damage to the bowel!

 

Career opportunities

Quite a number of medical professionals are making a living out of treating problems associated with the *digestive system – let’s name a few:

 

The Dietician – A dietitian is someone who has studied the science of nutrition and applies it to the feeding of individuals and/or groups – in order to improve their health and minimize disease.

 

The Dentist – and all the modern dental specialties like the orthodontist, the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, the Prosthodontist etc. specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the oral cavity, the teeth, jaws and surrounding tissue.

 

The Otolaryngologist or ENT (Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon), specializes in the throat or pharynx, the larynx (voice box) and of course the nasal passages, the ear and associated organs.

 

General Surgeons treat a lot of conditions affecting the section of the digestive system between the entrance of the esophagus, the stomach, small and large intestine up to the anus including the accessory digestive glands like the liver and pancreas. Some General Surgeons specialize in conditions affecting the rectum and anus – and they are called proctologists.

The Gastroenterologist: A Gastroenterologist is a physician (internist) who specializes in the digestive system. They assess and treat various problems associated with the gastrointestinal system using a variety of therapies, medication as well as minor surgical interventional procedures.

How Can I Become a Specialist General Surgeon?

 

How to become a Gastroenterologist:

Follow this link:

https://healthcareers.about.com/od/physiciancareers/p/GastroDrProfile.htm

In Module 6 – The Musculoskeletal System – you will learn more about:

• How the Musculoskeletal system works
• See how an Orthopedic Surgeon performs a knee- and a hip replacement surgery
• Information on how to become an orthopedic surgeon

Other interesting careers in the field of the musculoskeletal system – and more!

 

Register an Apprentice Doctor Club:

Registration is Free! Register so that the Club Attendees can get their Apprentice Doctor Club Attendance Certificates!

Best wishes for your success!

Your Apprentice Doctor Mentor and Guide

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Medical Terminology: Decoding the Language of Healthcare on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

 

The muscular system and the skeletal system are intimately associated regarding function and purpose -making movement not only possible but making movement of the different parts of the body an intricate culmination of complex science and amazingly beautiful art.

Think about workers using the complex leverage systems of the muscles, bones and joints of the musculoskeletal system to move or carry a heavy object – and think about the amazing levels of artistic perfection that ballet dancers and ice-skaters are able to attain!

The muscular system and the skeletal system are therefore often combined or considered together when studied.

The Muscular System (Interesting facts)

• Muscles accounts for about 40% a person’s body weight
• Muscles can only pull – they cannot push
• The longest muscle has muscle cells that can be over one foot (30 cm) long
• The strongest muscles (per weight unit) are the masseters, the chewing muscles on the sides of the lower jaw
• There are minute muscles at the roots of hairs and they are responsible for goose bumps!

The Skeletal System (Interesting facts)

• The human body has 206 bones
• The smallest bones in the body (about the size of rice grains) are in the middle-ear ( the stapes, incus and malleus)
• The skeletal system protects the internal organs and fragile body tissue like the eyes, the heart and the spinal cord
• Aside from providing structure to the body, bones also contain marrow, which is responsible for producing blood cells
• Humans and giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae -seven in total

Obesity is a problem in especially affluent societies – including the USA. Mark Huffman, an assistant professor of preventive medicine and cardiology at Northwestern University who presented the following figures and projections at the annual scientific meeting of the American Heart Association in November 2011: Right now, 32 percent of men and 34 percent of women are obese. Those numbers are projected to rise to 43 and 42 percent in 2020. Average adult Americans are nearly 25 pounds heavier than they were in 1960, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There is a direct correlation between the levels of obesity in a population and the need for hip and knee replacement operations. The complication rate following joint replacement is also significantly higher in obese and super-obese patients. Obesity increases the likelihood of total joint replacement surgery among younger adults.

Of course there are a number of different causes for damage to the hip and knee joints – like sport and motor vehicle accident injuries, various forms of arthritis etc. Obesity is a significant cause and thus contributor to the increase of osteo-arthritis (inflammation of a joint) noted over the past couple of decades.

The USA needs more Orthopedic Surgeons to perform the increased demand for hip and knee replacement surgeries. The question is – are we solving the problem of an increased need for total knee and hip replacement surgeries by training more Orthopedic Surgeons to perform these operations?

Definitions to remember:

• Hip joint: The hip joint is the joint between the femur (bone in upper leg) and acetabulum (socket-like form) of the pelvic or hip bone – and its primary function is to support the weight of the body in both static (e.g. standing) and dynamic (e.g. walking or running) postures.
• Knee joint:  The knee joint is where the upper and lower parts of the leg meet. Three bones articulate (slides over each other) in the knee joint: The femur, the tibia and the patella (kneecap). It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated.  Since in humans the knee supports nearly the whole weight of the body, it is vulnerable to both injury and the development of osteoarthritis.
• Laminar flow Theater:  Laminar flow ventilation is used in modern orthopedic operating theatres to reduce the number of infective organisms present in the air, which may lead to post-operative infection of the wound. This is of particular significance in joint prosthesis surgery such as knee replacement and hip replacement surgery.
• Arthritis:   Arthritis is a common form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), is a result of injury to the joint, infection of the joint, or old age. Another common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. The main complaint by individuals who have arthritis is joint pain.
• Prosthesis:  A prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part e.g. hip or knee joints. Prostheses (plural) are typically used to replace parts lost by injury, congenital (missing from birth) or disease e.g. arthritis and cancer. Prosthetic heart valves are in common use. Other medical devices and aids that can be considered prosthetics include hearing aids, artificial eyes and dentures (false teeth).

When things go terribly wrong…

In August 2010, DePuy Orthopedics, has announced that it is recalling two types of hip implants because of higher-than-expected early failure rates. These implants received FDA approval in 2005 and entered the market without vigorous clinical trials. Most hip replacements last an average of 20-25 years. Up to 49% of patients who received these DePuy hip implants had to undergo revision surgery within only 6 years!

Always minimize your exposure to medico-legal risks by staying abreast with the latest developments in your field of study. Only use clinically tested implant prostheses with scientifically scrutinized and proven track records.

Career opportunities:

Quite a number of medical professionals are making a living out of treating problems associated with the musculoskeletal system – let’s name a few:

• *Doctors of Osteopathic medicine (OD)
• The Physical Therapist (Physiotherapist)
• Orthopedic Surgeons
• Sport Medicine specialists
• Rheumatologists
• Biokineticist
• Podiatry
• Biomedical engineer

* A short note on Osteopathic Medicine

Many Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (OD) specialize in the musculoskeletal system – and uses techniques called osteopathic manipulation to treat their patients’ muscles, bones, joints and nerves.

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How Can I Become a Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon?

Click Here

How to become a Rheumatologist:

Click Here

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In Module Six of the For Future Doctors Pre Medical Course & Kit, I would like to take you to the orthopedic laminar flow Operating Room to see:

• A knee replacement

Have a look at this YouTube video-clip showing a total knee replacement surgical procedure:

• A hip replacement procedure

Study the diagram explaining the total hip replacement procedure:

Videos available on the For Future Doctors Pre Medical Course & Kit

• [Hip 1 – Preparation]
• [Hip 2 – Gaining access to the joint]
• [Hip 3 – Removing the diseases femoral head]
• [Hip 4 – Placing the new joint socket]
• [Hip 5 – Placing the prosthetic femoral head]
• [Hip 6 – Closing the surgical wound]

Practical projects available to do with the For Future Doctors Pre Medical Course & Kit

• PROJECT 20 – THE BONY LANDMARKS OF THE BODY
• PROJECT 21 – JOINT SOUNDS
• PROJECT 22 – BODY TEMPERATURE
• PROJECT 23 – THE MUSCLES OF THE BODY
• PROJECT 44 B – DETERMINE THE BMI

In Module Seven – The O&G Specialist – you will learn more about:

• How the Embryo and Fetus develops in the womb
• See how an Obstetrician performs a Caesarian Section Operation
• Information on how to become an O&G specialist
• Some new front lines of research in the field of human reproduction – and more!

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Questions?

Let me know if there are any questions – and I will try my best to answer those within a reasonable period of time – pose questions to your facilitator and he/she will e-mail those questions to me.

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Orthopedic Fracture Reduction on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

Also, explore the Orthopedic Practice Kit on Apprentice Doctor Kits.

 

 

The specialty includes a variety of surgical procedures both in obstetrics and gynecology and often involves the close co-operation with other specialties such as urology (specialist in the urinary system), colorectal surgery (see Module 5) and oncology (cancer specialist). The medical aspects of the specialty involve liaison with e.g. endocrinologists (specialist of the hormonal system), renal (kidney) physicians and cardiologists (heart specialist).

Preparation required:

1.  All Club Members should review the Reproductive System on the Apprentice Doctor CD-ROM

2. Let’s learn about infertility- information from the University of Stanford.

(Study in your own time before the meeting)

The Male Reproductive System

Reasons for infertility

The Female Reproductive System

Reasons for infertility

Pregnancy has traditionally been staged into three trimesters:

The first trimester is measured from conception to about the 12th week of pregnancy; the second trimester, from about 13 to 27 weeks of pregnancy; and the third trimester, from about 28 weeks of pregnancy until birth.

See what happens with the mother-to-be and the baby during each of these three stages:

[Click Here] (slide-show) and [Here] (for amazing real video material of the developing embryo and fetus)

Download this Power Point Presentation showing the unborn baby in the uterus

 

Prescribing medication during pregnancy

Despite the advances of modern science, the basic process of the development and formation of a baby out of a fertilized egg cell (zygote) is at best poorly understood.

Drugs may affect the unborn baby, the mother or both. In addition to this drugs and medication may affect the pregnancy (e.g. cause a miscarriage or premature delivery).

Basic rules are:

• Be especially careful regarding prescribing drugs in the first trimester when the development of basic tissues and organs is taking place
• Keep medication to the bare essentials for the specific problem
• Use safe medication – e.g. Paracetamol for pain – check safety with a pharmacist, doctor or obstetrician
• If possible minimum dosage and short duration
• Patients using essential chronic medication for medical conditions may have to change to sometimes “less effective to the mother” but “safer to the baby” alternatives e.g. drugs used to treat epilepsy patients
• Don’t become completely anti-medication. Treating an infection with a safe antibiotic may be better than allowing an infection to progress unchecked with all the negative implications of bacterial toxins causing damage to both mother and the embryo/fetus
• Supposedly “innocent natural medication” might not be so innocent at all – especially so during pregnancy – check with a doctor!

Definitions to remember:

Cesarean Section (C-Section) is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made through a mother’s abdomen and uterus to deliver one or more babies, or, rarely, to remove a dead fetus.

Dilation (or dilatation) and curettage (D&C) refers to the dilation (widening/opening) of the cervix and surgical removal of part of the lining of the uterus and/or contents of the uterus by scraping and scooping (curettage). It is a gynecological procedure used in obstetrics to remove pregnancy products from the womb for example in certain instances of miscarriages or when some tissue stayed behind in the uterus after the delivery of a baby, as well as a method of first trimester abortion. It is used in gynecology to help diagnose endometrial cancer, to remove certain polyps and very rarely to treat abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Endometrial ablation is a procedure that destroys the endometrium (uterine lining). This procedure is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial ablation can be done by:

• LASER beam
• Heat (thermal ablation), using radiofrequency, microwaves, heated saline (thermal balloon ablation), electricity – using a resectoscope or by
• Freezing

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It may be total (removing the body, fundus, and cervix of the uterus) or partial (removal of the uterine body while leaving the cervix intact; also called “supracervical”).

Practical Project:

Students who have a close family member who is pregnant (5-9 months) can perform Project 41: Listen to an unborn baby’s heartbeat (available on the Apprentice Doctor Foundation CD-ROM) – as a home project – and offer feedback on a consecutive Club/Chapter meeting. Keep in mind that the fetus’ heart beats much faster compared to the mother’s heart.

Let’s go to the Operating Room to see a C-Section delivery:

Have a look at an [Epidural Block (Animation)] then the [C-Section (Video-Clip)]

 

 

Do you have what it takes to become an O&G Specialist?

Answer the following questions honestly:

• Are you prepared for a long study period of many years?
• Can you handle highly stressful situations daily? (Your own, your patient’s and her family’s stress.)
• Can you make life and death decisions in an instant? (Baby/babies and mother.)
• Are you prepared to have irregular working hours? (Often work at night time.)
• Do you have very good communication skills?
• Do you have the ability of working as a member of a team?
• Can you offer sympathy and are you non-judgmental?
• Are you fairly dexterous?
• Can you face the reality of a high risk medico-legal environment? (Some of your dearest patients may turn against you in an instant due to circumstances beyond your control.)

Comment: There is an acute shortage of Obstetricians in some states in the USA – mainly as a result of exuberantly high malpractice insurance premiums – in some states up to $150 000 per year and more! Many O& G specialists move to less risky states or confine their practices to Gynecology only – or deregister and practice as general doctors. Some even leave the medical field completely!

[Club Discussion]

How Can I Become a Specialist O&G Specialist?

More Information (USA) – [Click Here]

Midwifery is a health care profession in which providers offer care to childbearing women during pregnancy, labor and birth, and during the postpartum period. They also help care for the newborn and assist the mother with breastfeeding.

How to become a Midwife:

More Information (USA) – [Click Here]

Cutting edge advances

GIFT stands for “Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer.” Gametes (the female’s eggs and the male’s sperm) are washed and placed via a catheter directly into the woman’s fallopian tubes. This usually involves a minor surgical procedure which allows you to go home the same day with a minor degree of pain that lasts for just a few days. With GIFT, fertilization occurs inside the woman’s body (not outside), and mimics the way a normally fertilized egg would begin its journey to the uterus for implantation.

ZIFT (Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer) is a procedure where the zygote is placed into the fallopian tube using laparoscopy.

Have a look at this video-clip of a ZIFT procedure: [Click Here] 

(Contains information about humam reproduction – quite appropriate for viewers in high school – please ask for parental guidance if unsure!)

Looking forward to Module 8?

Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered necessary for complete overall health.

• Cutting edge technology and advances
• Learn about the various dental specialty fields
• See maxillofacial surgical procedures
• Learn about exciting advances in dental implant dentistry and
• Lots more!

Download Module 7 in PDF format

Register an Apprentice Doctor Club:

Registration is Free! Register so that the Club Attendees can get their Apprentice Doctor Club Attendance Certificates!

Best wishes for your success!

Your Apprentice Doctor Mentor and Guide

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Obstetrics on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

Also, explore the Obstetrics Simulation Kit with an Accredited Online Course on Apprentice Doctor Kits.

 

 ~by Don Osborne from INQUARTA

How do you become a medical doctor in the United States? Although it isn’t for the faint-hearted, with planning and perseverance it can be done! Nevertheless, gone are the days when academic excellence only will guarantee you a place in Medical School. Medical School selection committees are looking at a lot more…

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“How Do You Become A Medical Doctor in the United States?”

Ask yourself some questions:

How do you become a medical doctor in the United States? Or – “How you do become a doctor?” Perhaps – “I really want to become a doctor, but what do I need to do to become a doctor?”

…then this report will answer those questions for you.

(At the end of this article I will give you free access to find out how you can go to medical school — for free!)

I will explain what you need to do to become a doctor, including:

• the classes you need to take in high school and college
• the additional education requirements to become a doctor
• how many years it takes to become a doctor
• and all of the other steps to becoming a doctor.

This report will give you guidelines for how to become a medical doctor in the United States, as well as most places in the world that follow an American/ United States approach to education.

Snapshot / Overview

Your timeline will look like this: 4 years of high school, followed by 4 years of college/university in the United States, followed by 4 years of medical school education, followed by 2 to 3 years of medical residency. Now, you’re a doctor.

Fourteen years?!! Well, not exactly. By the third year of medical school, you’ll be working with patients and practicing medicine under careful supervision. And when you start your medical residency, you are actually starting your first full time job in medicine. So your total time will feel more like four years of college, plus two years of medical school.

Let’s break some of these steps down in more detail.

What high school courses do I need to become a medical doctor?

Let’s start with the basics of high school education. There are no specific high school courses that you are required to take to become a doctor in the United States. However, the grades you get in high school will determine where you attend college, and the college that you attend in turn will determine the medical school that you attend.

This is a generality, but a useful one: The reputation of the college you attend will to a small degree impact the medical school you will most likely be accepted to.

What degree do you need to become a doctor?

Most students ask what degree do I need in order to become a doctor. To become a medical doctor in the United States, you are not required to have a specific degree.

Instead, medical schools have a list of prerequisite classes that you must take. Most pre-med students choose to major in Biology and get a Bachelor of Science in Biology,  but they do this because the Biology major contains all of the classes that medical schools require.

You can find the right degree from top schools across the USA using the degree finder at oedb.org

What grades do you need to become a doctor?

To be a competitive applicant for medical school admissions, your grades will need to be at least a 3.5 GPA on the 4.0 scale or higher within your science courses — typically biology, chemistry, physics, math.

How much does it cost to become a doctor?

Let’s look specifically at the cost of medical school. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges,  of 2016, most students will graduate from medical school with a median debt level of $200,00. There are differences in tuition, fees and health insurance between public and private schools. However, looking at your lifetime earnings as a physician relative to the money that you have spent, you will see that your earnings will more than pay for the money that you spend to go to medical school. You can argue that going to medical school does not cost you money, but actually makes you money.

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Also have a look at:

Becoming a General Practitioner

Becoming a Doctor in the USA

Becoming a Surgeon

Well best wishes for success towards your dream of becoming a doctor!

 

Dr Anton Scheepers and Team

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Foundation Medical Course on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

Also, explore the Future Doctors Kit on Apprentice Doctor Kits.

 

Gloves

Gloves are the most common type of personal protective equipment (PPE). Gloves are considered a barrier protecting both you and your patient from the transfer of harmful microorganisms. Always use gloves when you work on a patient. Hygienically prepare your hands before gloving and clean your hands again after removing the gloves and before moving on to your next patient. Gloves are absolutely essential when you have an existing cut or small wound on your own hand and when you are touching any bodily fluid/secretion/excretion.

Boots

Theater boots

The operating theater can be a messy/bloody/gutsy place. Surgeons often wear waterproof boots as a protective measure from contamination with blood, puss, amniotic fluid etc.

Boots for emergency workers

Boots should protect your feet. Steel toe are best for this purpose. It should be water-proof, flexible and they must be exactly the right size. They should also be able to protect you against cold weather and punctures. The soles of your boots must provide good traction to prevent you from slipping and sliding down slopes.

Over-shoes

Shoe covers are important as they help maintain a sanitary environment by eliminating tracked-in dirt and microbes and they protect the wearer from accidental spills and bodily fluids. Always use shoe covers when entering the operating room or Intensive Care Unit.  Alternatively use dedicated surgical boots or shoes.

Surgical caps

Even clean recently washed hair is contaminated with loads of bacteria. The surgical cap minimizes the risk of hair falling into the sterile area during surgery. Ensure that all your hair is covered by the surgical cap before proceeding with scrubbing for surgery!

Masks, Visors/glasses

A face masks is worn as a barrier to protect the patient against the transfer of harmful microorganisms present in the healthcare professional?s saliva, nasal discharge and facial hair, and to protect the healthcare professional from being infected by microorganisms present in puss, blood, other body fluids, secretions (e.g. saliva) or excretions (e.g. feces) by the patient.

Medical professionals should wear a mask and eye protection or a visor (face shield) to protect mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to cause splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions. Masks should be worn at all times in restricted areas of the Operating Room – where sterile supplies are opened and at scrub sinks. Masks with face shields or masks and protective eyewear are required whenever splash, spray or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials may be generated.

Apron

Some surgical procedures may become really ‘messy’ – thus the surgeon needs to protect him/herself by wearing a waterproof apron. Surgical procedures where a lot of bleeding of spill of bodily fluids like amniotic fluid e.g. during a Caesarian section are examples where an apron is needed.

Surgical gowns

Surgical gowns are considered one of the most important protective items during surgical procedures. Sterile surgical gowns play an essential role in maintaining aseptic conditions by blocking the transfer of harmful microorganisms and chemicals to and from the patient, and reducing the transfer of bacteria from the skin of the surgical staff to the air in the operating room.

Wearing surgical gowns and other medical apparel (e.g. surgical masks, gloves, etc.) is of utmost importance as there will always be microorganisms present on or in the human skin, even after conducting strict hygienic and surgical scrubbing procedures.  The purpose of surgical gowns and other protective clothing is not only to keep bacteria from entering surgical wounds, but to also protect the surgical staff from bodily fluids, secretions or excretions like blood, urine, saline, or chemicals used and during surgical procedures.

PROJECT 00C – HOW TO SAFELY REMOVE CONTAMINATED GLOVES

SURGICALLY CLEAN AND STERILE GLOVES

Sterile gloves are always used in any sterile field/area while surgical clean gloves may be used for more routine medical and surgical tasks – purely as a barrier against microorganisms, contaminants and chemicals while performing tasks in a medical or healthcare environment.

Gloves are the most common type of personal protective equipment (PPE). Gloves are considered a barrier protecting both you and your patient from the transfer of harmful microorganisms. Always use gloves when you work on a patient. Gloves are absolutely essential when you have an existing cut or small wound on your own hand and when you are touching any bodily fluids, secretions and/or excretions.

Method on how to safely remove contaminated gloves

Step 1

Pinch the glove on the inside of your left hand near the cuff

 

Step 2

Pull and slide it inside out towards your fingertips

 

Step 3

“Cup” it in your right hand

 

Step 4

Now take two fingers from your left (ungloved) hand, slide them underneath the cuff

 

Step 5

Pull it off making sure it comes off inside out

 

 

Step 6

Keep on pulling until it slips off your hand.

Step 7

Throw your gloves away in a biohazard bag or bin.

Points of Interest:

• Use non-latex gloves if you or your patient is allergic to latex (take a proper medical history – see Project 0 in the Apprentice Doctor Course)!
• Always use a pair of sterile gloves for all surgical procedures or where contamination with bodily fluids (e.g. blood), secretions (e.g. saliva) or excretions (e.g. urine)  is anticipated.
• Use clean gloves when examining a patient or performing nursing tasks like changing dressings.
• Use gloves once only – never re-use gloves in a hospital setting.
• Wash your hands properly (Project 00A in the Apprentice Doctor course) before putting on gloves and after removing gloves.
• Always remove contaminated gloves using the above method.
• Always discard contaminated gloves in a dedicated refuse bin intended for contaminated medical waste (never place contaminated gloves in the regular waste bin).

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Sterility and Aseptic Techniques on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

Also, explore the Scrub for Surgery Kit on Apprentice Doctor Kits.

 

The time for the arrival of the new addition to the family is here! The first step is to get mommy safely to the hospital and admitted into the maternity ward – and off they go to theater for a Caesarian section under spinal anesthesia – making the operation to deliver the baby by C-SECTION painless for the mother.

Daddy is an integral part of the birth process. He supports his wife emotionally and takes lots of photographs for memory’s sake. Mommy moves onto the operation table and the nursing staff places the necessary monitors and ECG leads to enable the anesthetist to monitor his patient’s vital functions during the procedure.

The anesthetist carefully inserts a needle into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and injects a local anesthetic into this space.

The theater is a beehive of activity with the nursing staff, the anesthetist, the pediatrician, the obstetrician and the surgical assistant all doing their little bit in preparing for this wonderful event of safely delivering a new baby into this world.

The registered nurse is preparing the sterile surgical field by cleaning the skin with an antiseptic solution, then meticulously draping the site with sterile drapes and finally placing the transparent barrier drape.

The obstetrician makes final preparations for the procedure and tests the effectiveness of the regional anesthetic block by pinching the skin with a forceps.

Sterile instruments ready, suction ready, lights on and the anesthetist subtly nod at the obstetrician – signaling his approval for the show to get on the road.

 

Retractors are placed strategically to help the surgical team to visualize the procedure better and to protect the adjacent important structures like the bladder.

Daddy is holding mommy’s hand in support, and the Caesarian section starts with a horizontal incision through the skin, and then layer for layer – connective tissue, abdominal wall muscle, the lining of the pelvic cavity and finally the lining covering the uterus.

The obstetrician now carefully incises the vascular uterus with bleeding and then suddenly a quick surge of amniotic fluid appearing!

There is an urgency in the air now and the obstetrician identifies the position of the baby by inserting his hand into the uterus – he struggles somewhat to get his hand around the head – but with a bit of persistence he succeeds and safely performs the delivery, then removes the umbilical cords from the baby’s neck.

The baby announces his arrival by taking his first breath and giving a loud cry. The umbilical cord is cut and a sample of umbilical cord blood is collected for laboratory tests.

This is also the opportunity to harvest umbilical stem cells for possible future use.

The baby is handed over to the pediatrician and from this point in time she is responsible for the new-born’s health and wellbeing.

Excess amniotic fluid is suctioned with a small catheter out of the baby’s mouth, nose and throat – but keep in mind that routine suctioning is not recommended anymore.

The newborn baby’s skin is covered with a white-grayish substance called vernix (short for vernix caseosa literally meaning cheesy varnish!) Excess vernix is wiped off the skin.

The pediatrician thoroughly examines the baby before handing him over to be weighed. The baby is now snuggly and securely placed in a blanket and handed to the beamingly proud father – and he shows the baby to mommy – and she again becomes emotionally overwhelmed by this wondrous event.

The obstetrician and assistant are suturing the uterus and the various anatomical layers closed.

The team works calmly now – knowing tht both mother and baby are well. The baby is taken to the new-natal section of the maternity ward.

The wider family all stretches to get their first glimpse of the new arrival – but only daddy is allowed inside.

For most people – receiving a new life into this world is a deeply spiritual experience and all the family and friends bow their heads in gratitude to their Creator for this amazing gift – a new, beautiful and healthy baby!

 

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Obstetrics on Apprentice Doctor Academy.

Also, explore the Obstetrics Simulation Kit with an Accredited Online Course on Apprentice Doctor Kits.

 

Following the successful completion of your Apprentice Doctor Course, you might be wondering what your next step will be.

For many of you, the obvious answer is joining a volunteer medical program at a nearby hospital. Doing volunteer services in the USA, UK or Europe is often a bland experience with students looking at medical procedures at a distance and assisting with cleaning, porter and courier tasks. I bet you would love to get a real close-up experience that will make even medical students envious!

The Apprentice Corporation can connect you with an organization that specializes in sending students aged 16+ from all over the world to work in Hospitals in a number of global locations.

You will be given an opportunity to get real medical experience, learn about healthcare in the developing world and witness a wide variety of clinical cases. Perhaps most importantly you will see what it feels like to work as a medical professional.

All the placements are primarily medically focused, with students spending Mon – Fri in the Hospitals, shadowing doctors in Surgery, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and various other disciplines.

The doctors also take time to give clinical teaching sessions to students on various topics such as prevalent diseases in the country and how they are treated.

Your stay will be full of interesting experiences which will boost your credibility and make a big difference in your application to medical school.

The organisation that arranges this will provide you with tremendous support in arranging all aspects of your placement, accommodation and your meals, for the duration of your time away.

The Apprentice Doctor team can assist and facilitate with your placement in a number of African locations:

South Africa

Prepare yourself for the ultimate hospital shadowing experience an African setting!

Click Here for more inforamtion

Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya

 

 

 

Zambia: The world famous Victoria Falls,  and sunset wild-life cruses on the mighty Zambezi river the wild-life safaris.

Tanzania:  It may perhaps be a destination that you are unfamiliar with but the East African country is a heavyweight when it comes to entertainment. Jungle trekking, weekend safaris, visits to the formidable Kilimanjaro, ancient cave paintings, tribal villages and a lazy weekend spent on the beach, it’s hard to think of what Tanzania hasn’t got.

 

 

Hospital placement in Tanzania constantly gets rave reviews from students. You will see some traditional East African medicine as well as more modern western medicine practiced here, it can be a challenging environment and it’s certainly a Hospital experience that will give you strong comparisons to make with the medical facilities back home.

A hospital placement overseas often reaffirms a student’s desire to study medicine and many of our Apprentice Doctor students return from this type of medical experiences with a renewed enthusiasm to persevere on the road of becoming a great medical professional!

Get ready to explore the world of medicine in a most unique way. Live your life to the fullest and make use of these opportunities.

I really want to become a Doctor – Is there anything I can do straight away?

Check out the Foundation Medical Course on Apprentice Doctor Academy.