Becoming a doctor

Hello, I know this may sound obvious, but I'm quite unsure. After a Medicine MB BS BSc degree, do you need anything else (like qualification-wise) for you to be able to work as a doctor? I know like being a surgeon, i.e. Brain surgeon, you'd need a post-graduate degree, but for a 'normal-doctor' after you get the degree, are you fully qualified?

Many thanks!

Reply 1

Rob da Mop

Original post by MedicalMayhem

After you finish the university period of medical training you receive provisional registration as a doctor with the GMC. You then have to complete two years of Foundation year training (known as F1 and F2) before you become fully registered. You then have to apply for your specialist training, eg. General Practice, Paediatrics etc.

Reply 2

Madprof

Please read: http://www.gmc-uk.org/education/postgraduate.asp

Reply 3

MedicalMayhem

Original post by Rob da Mop

Thanks! so if I chose for instance General Practice, would that be an extra course, or would i already be qualified? And how long is the training for general practice?

Reply 4

Rob da Mop

Original post by MedicalMayhem

Thanks! so if I chose for instance General Practice, would that be an extra course, or would i already be qualified? And how long is the training for general practice?

It wouldn't be an extra course, it would be like moving through the ranks of general practice, starting as a very junior doctor and moving up through the ranks as you get better. For more details the link madprof has posted is your best source of information.

Reply 5

Helenia

Original post by MedicalMayhem

Thanks! so if I chose for instance General Practice, would that be an extra course, or would i already be qualified? And how long is the training for general practice?

GP training is currently 3 years after the foundation years (so a total of 5 years after graduating), but this will probably increase in the next few years. Look up MMC (modernising medical careers) to find out more about post-graduate training.

Rob da Mop - you get fully registered with the GMC after F1 year.

Reply 6

username570224

How long is it to train to be specialised? e.g in paediatrics, neurology or radiology

Reply 7

Organ

Original post by Boom533

How long is it to train to be specialised? e.g in paediatrics, neurology or radiology

Paeds is run through so straight after F2. Radiology used to be made up of registrars only, but I think they have a F2 - Radiology thing now. Neurology is uncoupled so will require Core Medical Training which takes either three or two years after F2 - so five (or six?) years after graduation to become an ST in Neurology.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 8

Wangers

Original post by Organ

There is no SHO grade officially in radiology - the next increment is Reg.

Reply 9

Organ

Original post by Wangers

There is no SHO grade officially in radiology - the next increment is Reg.

Am I correct in saying it's possible to go from F2 to a radiology reg?

Reply 10

Madprof

Original post by Organ

Am I correct in saying it's possible to go from F2 to a radiology reg?

The Royal College of Radiologists say so: "Consider whether your clinical skills will be enhanced by spending a period of time in core training in acute care clinical specialties such as medicine, surgery or paediatrics. However, entry directly from FY2 is permissible."

The MMC website also implies it's a run through training programme.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 11

Wangers

Original post by Organ

Am I correct in saying it's possible to go from F2 to a radiology reg?

Yes, but as madprof points out - its probably a good idea to get some more experience before you become someone elses' saftey net, if only to experience a variaty of things to make sure you want to do radiology.