By Danielle Smyth Updated November 05, 2021
According to the U.S. News & World Report team, it takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree, four more to earn a medical degree, and additional years of study and training for a specialty degree. Besides that, some fields of medicine are much more competitive than others. Considering this, students may wonder what is the quickest way to become a doctor. Someone who cannot invest the time and money required to become something as challenging as a cardiac and thoracic surgeon can still become a doctor if they choose the right field.
The Easiest Dr. to Become
The American Medical Association lists the most competitive medical specialty fields (in order) as integrated interventional radiology, orthopedic surgery, integrated plastic surgery, radiation oncology, neurological surgery and otolaryngology. The team at International Medical Aid advises that family medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, pediatrics and psychiatry are the least competitive. So, this list encompasses the quickest doctors to become.
The reasons why some fields are more competitive than others include the time needed to get the degrees, subject matter difficulty and pay. A general practice doctor is probably the easiest doctor to become. Even though students must complete four years of medical school and one or two years of a residency, this is the minimum amount of education required for medical doctors. Internal medicine and pathology are other less complex areas of medicine worth considering.
When course difficulty is not as big a concern as the amount of time it takes to complete the program, potential doctors may look into one of the medical schools that offer options to fast-track their degrees, explains the team at The Nest. This option condenses the four years of medical school into three, but it may leave out specialty options. Fast-tracking means no time off and intense studying and training. Before applying, be sure that you fully understand the implications of a fast-track medical school.
What's the Easiest Surgeon to Be?
Neurosurgeons work through long surgeries that can take up to 12 hours and operate inside skulls. Orthopedic surgeons work on entire musculoskeletal systems and perform complicated procedures such as repairing nerves in limbs. Cardiac and thoracic surgeons focus on pathological conditions inside patients' chests relating to lung cancers, heart valves and coronary arteries. These and other more difficult fields require in-depth, specialized knowledge and proven expertise.
The easiest surgeon to be is a general surgeon. These physicians treat many kinds of ailments that require surgeries that are usually less complicated than specialty surgeries. They spend their days performing appendectomies, removing gallbladders, and other routine procedures. It is not unusual for a general surgeon to switch over to a specialty after a while.
Doctor and Surgeon Salaries
The experts at Weatherby Healthcare post that the highest-paid physician specialties for 2020 are specialists in plastic surgery at $526,00, followed by orthopedics/orthopedic surgery at $511,000 and cardiology at $459,000. These were the same three highest in 2019. At the lower end were public health and preventative medicine physicians at $237,000, family medicine at $236,000, and pediatrics at $221,000.
This source also reported that self-employed physicians earned more than those who did not have their own practices. Self-employed doctors earned $352,000 annually compared to $300,000 yearly salaries earned by other doctors. There was also a disparity in pay according to gender: Male primary physicians made 27 percent more than females at $269,000 versus $211,000, respectively.
FAQs
The fastest way to become a doctor is to choose a school that offers an accelerated or combined undergraduate and medical school program. You might be able to graduate with your medical degree in as little as six years through this route.
What is the shortest path to become a doctor? ›
The shortest residencies are:
- Family Medicine (3 years)
- Internal Medicine (3 years)
- Emergency Medicine (3-4 years)
- Pediatrics (3 years)
Easiest Doctor to Become: Family Doctor
The simple answer is that it takes the least amount of time. After your four years at medical school, (or a 3-year medical school) you can do a three-year family medicine residency, pass your board exams, and that's it, you're a doctor!
What is the fastest way to get a doctor's degree? ›
If you're looking to become a medical doctor more efficiently, you may want to consider a few accelerated programs that combine undergraduate study with medical education. 1. BS/MD programs: These programs typically last 6-8 years and combine a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
How fast can you become a DR? ›
1. How long does it take to get your MD? You need to devote around 10 to 12 years to become a doctor. The time includes an undergraduate degree (four years), medical school (four years), and a residency program (three to seven years).
Can you become a doctor by 30? ›
Is it too late to become a doctor? While there is nothing to stop you from starting medical school at 30, 40, or 50 years of age, there are some important factors to consider: Length of educational process – Medical school is typically four years, but residency is another three to eight years.
Can you speed up med school? ›
Fast-track or accelerated medical programs combine the Bachelor in Science (B.Sc.) degree with the Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree. Accelerated medical studies take around 3 to 4 years to complete, depending on the school. This often allows students to save a year of tuition, housing and other fees.
What's the hardest doctor to be? ›
What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.
What is the easiest medical job that pays well? ›
Well-paying medical jobs that require limited schooling
- Veterinary technician. ...
- Dietary technician. ...
- Pharmacy technician. ...
- Phlebotomy technician. ...
- Cardiovascular technician. ...
- Medical assistant. ...
- Ophthalmic technician. ...
- Emergency medical technician (EMT)
As you think about your healthcare career options, consider these ten physician specialties in high demand and some of the trends behind them.
- Psychiatry. ...
- Two Primary Care Specialties: Family Medicine and Internal Medicine. ...
- Urgent Care. ...
- Geriatrics. ...
- Cardiology. ...
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health. ...
- Neurology.
Professional doctorates (like Ed.D. in Education or online DBA programs) are designed for working professionals and often have less coursework, potentially replacing the dissertation with a different culminating project. These can be completed in as little as two years in an accelerated online program.
What doctor makes the most money? ›
What Are the Highest-Paid Doctors in the US? The highest-paid doctors are neurosurgeons who report earning above $780,000 per year on average.
Is there an online medical school? ›
Currently, there are no accredited medical schools in the U.S. or Canada that offer their curriculum exclusively online. What does exist are medical schools in the US and Canada that incorporate hybrid learning – a blend of online coursework with in-person clinical training and lab work.
What is the shortest way to become a doctor? ›
The fastest way to become a doctor is to choose a school that offers an accelerated or combined undergraduate and medical school program. You might be able to graduate with your medical degree in as little as six years through this route.
What is the quickest medical degree? ›
The shortest schooling for a medical career is a Diploma in Practical Nursing (DPN). In as little as 12 months, you can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and be on your way toward becoming a registered nurse (RN). Runners-up for the shortest schooling for a medical career: Dental Assistant 16+ months.
What is the shortest doctor's career? ›
Family Medicine is the medical specialty with the shortest training time, typically requiring a three-year residency after medical school.
What is the lowest years to become a doctor? ›
The length of time it takes you to become a doctor depends overall on the field of medicine you choose to study. At the very least, becoming a doctor can take up to 11 years, with four years devoted to your bachelor's degree, four years in medical school and at least three years completing your residency.
What is the shortest medical career to study? ›
For example, the education for an LPN, medical assistant or phlebotomy technician can take as little as one year. Other positions that require an associate degree, like the position of a respiratory therapist, can take up to two years to complete.
What is the easiest major to become a doctor? ›
If you're looking for the most straightforward path, biological sciences, including majors like molecular biology, cell biology, and neuroscience, feature several courses that overlap with your medical school prerequisites. That's why nearly 60% of all applicants choose this major.
What is the shortest time for the medical field? ›
Medical Assisting
You can start your career as a medical assistant in as little as 10 months by earning your diploma in medical assisting, or earn your associate degree in as little as 16-20 months to pursue roles with greater responsibility.
