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All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Justice28(m): 7:06pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
F or centuries, the medical doctor has been one of the
most respected members of society. Traditional healers
of indigenous tribes were revered for their knowledge of
the healing arts. In Nigeria, the doctor is called upon
not only treat patients, but is also called upon for advice and
guidance as well. This is one of the reasons why year in, and
year out, Medicine has been one of the most sought after
courses in UTME examinations. But what does it mean to be a
medical doctor?
The Joys of Being a Medical Doctor I am a surgeon, an
orthopeadic surgeon. Orthopaedic surgeons treat diseases and
injuries to bones, ligaments and tendons. Yes, I love being a
surgeon. Each day when I wake up and look in the mirror, I
know that my goal is to help my patients, either directly or
by teaching students and resident doctors – hopefully making
them better doctors.
Medicine satisfies my yearning for knowledge. Patients are
often like mysteries in a detective story. They come with
problems which the doctor has to decipher. Doctors collect
clues in form of what the patient tells them (this is called
history), physical examinations and appropriate diagnostic
investigations. Using those clues, doctors strive to develop a
management strategy which takes into consideration the
patient's desires and our best knowledge of the evidence.
The doctor patient interaction is special, very special indeed.
When I introduce myself to a patient, I almost always sense
the patient trusting me, giving me that encouragement that we
are working together towards the common goal of getting them
over their diseases. It is a very special feeling. You feel very
fortunate that patients trust you with their information.
I remembered the first time I watched a caesarian section.
The surgeon brought the baby boy out of the uterus. I went
with the nurse to examine the baby and check his weight and
height, count his heart rate, and check his breathing. That
day, I couldn't help but marveled at the mystery of creation. I
also couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be to be
a doctor who can take care of women at the moments of their
worst fears and their greatest joys.
Some years ago, I managed an eleven year old boy with club
foot. The parents were very poor. It took them almost three
months to raise the less than thirty thousand Naira needed
for the final phase of the treatment. The boy had been walking
with a limp all his life. When I took off the POP on his foot,
and he saw how close to normal his foot was, he moved to me
and held me tightly to himself, saying over and over again
"Thank you, thank you….." When I looked at his mother, she
had a huge smile on her face and tears were trickling down
her face. Those were the kinds of memories that makes being
a doctor worth the toils and the tears and the grit that goes
into making you one. The challenges of patient care and the
non-monetary rewards will continue to make medicine a
wonderful field.
Yes, many doctors are not making a lot of money, but they
are making enough for themselves and their families to be
comfortable. Most derive their greatest compensation from the
personal satisfaction of caring for all those who came to see
them.
Sometimes, I wake up wondering why I'm a medical doctor,
knowing I could be whatever I had wanted to be. However,
with the same line of thought comes the realization that
there's nothing else I'd rather be.
Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Medical Doctor?
Becoming a doctor takes time. After secondary education, you
will spend six years in the medical school, one year as an
intern and another year as a Youth Corper. That's eight years
from starting university to practicing medicine. If you decide
to become a specialist, then you are looking at another 4-9
years of residency training in a teaching hospital. This means
that to become a specialist doctor, you need between 12 and 17
years of training, counting from your first year in the
university.
It takes a certain amount of intelligence to become a medical
doctor. However, organization and good study habits can make
the difference between a mediocre student who gets through
medical school and a brilliant student who fails to make it.
There are three cornerstones of a successful (this success is
not defined by money!) career in medicine:
A love for learning in general.
A true intellectual curiosity about medicine in particular.
A strong desire to help others.
Being smart and doing well in the sciences are obviously
important components of being a successful physician. But
these are not the only requirement, you must also be able to
relate well with people. As a physician you have an
opportunity to help others. Wanting to help others and
enjoying helping others are necessary attributes of a good
physician. This is something that cannot be taught.
In medicine, you have many choices. In what other career can
you choose between delivering babies (Obstetricians), taking
care of children (Paediatricians), treating women
(Gynaecologists), handling emergencies (Traumatologists),
removing a hernia or appendix (Surgeons), helping those with
behavioural problems (Psychiatrists), or preventing diseases
(Community Medicine)? Better yet, as a specialist, you can
teach others your medical specialty, while still practicing your
profession. Alternately, you can do research in whatever
specialty you choose, with the potential to make a real
breakthrough in preventing or treating illness. There is even
a Nobel Prize for Medicine. You can become the Wole Soyinka
of Medicine! In addition, being a physician is honourable and
is held in high esteem. It allows you to live just about
anywhere, and provides job security.
However, all of this comes at a price. The many years of
preparation, the discipline, the awesome responsibility and the
long call duty hours can take their toll. Medicine is a unique
field and it demands a unique person.
What Subjects Should You Take in Your Senior Secondary
School to Qualify for Admission to Read Medicine?
According to the MDCN Website (the Red Book), the following
secondary school subjects are required for medical education
in Nigeria:
1. Biology
2. Physics
3. Chemistry
4. Mathematics
5. English .
Prospective medical students must pass the West African
School Certificate or the Senior Secondary School Certificate
Examination or any equivalent examination, Such as National
Examination Council (NECO), with at least Credit level passes
in the above five subjects.
They must then either:
1. Pass the JAME Joint Admission and Matriculation
Examination) for admission into the University preliminary
(premedical) year or
2. Secure exemption from the JAME and the University
Preliminary year by passing the Advanced Level General
Certificate (GCE'A' Level). Higher School Certificate (HSC) or its
equivalent examination in: Biology: Chemistry and Physics.
Subject to the co-ordinating regulations of the JAME, it shall
be the right of the Medical School to select candidates for
final admission to their institutions from among eligible
candidates who possess these minimum requirements. You
need to score a high mark in your UTME examination.
In theory, you are advised to score at least 200 in UTME
examinations to be considered for admission into most
universities, in practice, to be considered for medicine, you
may need to score 250 and above. After that, you will need to
pass the Post UTME Screening Examinations of the University
of your choice very well too.
What are Your Choice of Universities?
Depending on their ownerships, Nigerian Universities can be
divided into three: Federal Universities, State Owned
Universities, and Private Universities. According to the
Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), there are 32
medical schools in Nigeria (MDCN is a federal Government
parastatal which regulates the practice of Medicine, Dentistry
and Alternative Medicine in Nigeria). Twenty five are fully
accredited to train medical students while 7 has partial
accreditation. Table 1 contains the list of fully accredited
Medical Schools in Nigeria while Table 2 contains the list of
partially accredited Medical Schools:
Table 1: Fully accredited Medical Schools in Nigeria
Serial University Quota Ownership
1 College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia
State University, Uturu, Abia State
75 State
2 College of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State
University, Abakaliki.
50 State
3 College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi
Araba, Lagos.
100 Federal
4 College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile Ife, Osun State.
100 Federal
5 College of Health Sciences, University of Port-
Harcourt.
100 Federal
6 College of Health Sciences, Usman Dan Fodiyo
University, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
100 Federal
7 College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo
State.
180 Federal
8 College of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Kwara
State.
150 Federal
9 College of Medical Sciences, University of
Calabar, Cross River State.
100 Federal
10 College of Medicine, Lagos State University,
Ikeja, Lagos State.
75 State
11 College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University,
Ekpoma.
50 State
12 Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos. 150 Federal
13 Faculty of Medicine, Bayero University, Kano
State.
100 Federal
14 Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences,
Sagamu, Olabisi Onabanjo (formerly Ogun
State) University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.
75 State
15 College of Medicine, Imo State University,
Owerri
50 State
16 College of Health Science, Madonna University
Elele, Rivers State.
50 Private
17 College of Medical Sciences, University of
Benin, Benin City , Edo State.
100 Federal
18 Oba Okunade College of Health Sciences
Igbinedion University Okada, Benin -City, Edo
State.
50 Private
19 College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
Enugu Campus. Enugu.
150 Federal
20 College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe
University, Nnewi.
100 State
21 Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria.
120 Federal
22 College of Medical Sciences, University of
Maiduguri.
150 Federal
23 College of Health Sciences, Delta State
University, Abraka
50 State
24 College of Medicine, Enugu State University of
Science and Technology, Enugu
50 State
25 College Of Health Sciences, University of Uyo,
Akwa Ibom.
50 Federal
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia
State University, Uturu, Abia State
75 State
Table 2: Partially Accredited Medical Schools in Nigeria
Serial University Quota Ownership
1 College of Health Sciences, Bigham University
Karu, Nasarawa.
50 Private
2 College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta
University, Wilberforce Island Bayelsa
50 State
3 College of Health Sciences, Benue State
University, Makurdi
50 State
4 College of Health Sciences, Osun State
University, Osun.
50 State
5 College of health Sciences, Bowen University
Iwo
50 Private
As you can see from the tables above, there are just 2,435
quotas for medical training in the fully accredited medical
schools in Nigeria. If you add the 300 in the partially
accredited medical schools, you have 2, 735 spaces.
Meanwhile, more than 100,000 candidates apply to medical
schools in Nigeria. In 2010, about 435 students came for the
Post UTME screening exercise of the Osun State University,
and the university had vacancies for just 20 students. There is
therefore a fierce competition for the few available spaces in
the medical schools.
What about Training in Foreign Medical Schools?
This is a viable option for those who can afford it. While
training in most Nigerian Medical Schools is virtually free
(especially the Federal Universities), training in foreign
medical schools is very expensive. In addition, each country
has its regulations governing medical education, you have to
look for this information on your own. However, the Internet
has made this much easier than it used to be. Visit the
websites of the Universities where you intend to study
Medicine and look for their requirements.
After training in a foreign medical school, each graduate of
these schools must attend a joint four month remedial course
at a teaching hospital in Nigeria, after which he or she will
be assessed by the MDCN for eligibility to practice medicine
in Nigeria.
Life as a Medical Student
You will spend at least six years in the University. These six
years are likely going to be the toughest years in your life
because of the sheer volume of work you will face.
First Year
Your first year in the University will not be in the Medical
School per se, rather, they will be spent in the Faculty of
Science where you will be studying mainly Physics, Chemistry
and Zoology, with a sprinkling of some other (minor) subjects.
Unlike in most other courses where 40% is the pass mark,
you must score at least 50% in all the subjects before you can
proceed to the second year.
Preclinical Years (Second and First semester of the third
year)
The next three semesters are probably going to be the
toughest years of your life. No kidding. You will be in the
classroom or laboratory for at least 10-12 hours everyday
including some Saturdays. Thereafter, you need to read
another 6-8 hours in so that you will not fall behind in your
study.
The preclinical subjects include:
1. Anatomy: Gross and microscopic structure of the human body.
You will dissect cadavers in the practical sessions
2. Physiology: This subject deals with the normal functions of
human body and its parts.
3. Biochemistry : This is concerned with the chemical and
physicochemical processes that occur within the human body.
4. Medical Genetics : The study of heredity and the variation of
inherited characteristics in humans.
5. Community Medicine (Also called Preventive and Social
Medicine).
At the end of this period, you will sit for your first Medical
School Examination. You must pass all subjects before you can
proceed to the next level. The pass mark is 50%.
The Clinical Years
This is the next three and a half years. In most medical
schools, once you reach this stage, you will move to the
Teaching hospital, where hostels will be available to you. You
will no longer run the regular nine months of schooling and
2-3 month long holidays that regular undergraduates run. You
will no longer have regular holidays again, as you will spend
almost the whole calendar year in the school. The hospital
becomes your laboratory, and the patients becomes your
subjects. In the class, you will learn the science of medicine,
and in the wards and clinics; the art of medicine. Within this
time, you will metamorphosed from a student to a doctor. You
will learn to gather facts from patients, and weave such facts
together to make your diagnoses. You will become a new
person: compassionate, caring, empathetic, responsible and
curious.
The subjects you shall be studying at this stage include are
divided into two. The Basic Clinical Sciences and the Clinical
Sciences. The two are done concurrently in most medical
Schools, but the basic Clinical Sciences are completed in the
fourth year in most medical schools. The subjects included in
the Basic Medical Sciences are:
1. Pharmacology: The branch of medicine concerned with the
uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.
2. Pathology: The branch of medical science that studies the
causes and nature and effects of diseases. Pathology comprised
the following sub-divisions:
3. Haematology: The branch of medicine that deals with
diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs
4. Microbiology : The branch of biology that studies
microorganisms and their effects on humans
5. Chemical Pathology : area of pathology that is generally
concerned with analysis of bodily fluids.
6. Anatomical Pathology: The medical specialty that is
concerned with the diagnosis of disease based on the gross,
microscopic, chemical, immunologic and molecular examination
of organs, tissues, and whole bodies (autopsy)
This subjects are laboratory based. You will learn the subjects
by didactic lectures and laboratory sessions. At the
completion of these courses, you will sit for the second
Medical School Examination.
For many, the Clinical Sciences are the essence of the medical
school. The years are spent learning hands-on patient care.
You wear Ward Coats, attend Ward Rounds and Clinics with
Consultants, Resident Doctors and House officers. You partake
in taking care of real patients with real problems. These are
the clerkship years. These are the years you actually learn to
‘become a doctor”. This is where you learn to apply what you
have learnt in the Basic Medical and Basic Clinical subjects.
The subjects in the Clinical Sciences include:
1. Paediatrics : The branch of medicine dealing with children
and their diseases.
2. Obstetrics and Gynaecolog y: These actually comprises two
major subjects: Obstetrics which is concerned with childbirth
and the care of women giving birth and Gynaecology which
deals with the functions and diseases specific to women,
especially those affecting the reproductive system.
3. Community Medicine: This is the branch of medicine
concerned with the prevention of diseases and injuries.
4. Surgery : This is the branch of medical science that treats
disease or injury by operative procedures
5. Medicine: This is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis
and treatment of diseases by non-surgical means.
At the end of this session, you will seat for the final Medical
School Examination, which qualifies you to become a Medical
Doctor, and change your status forever. You will no longer be
a mere Mr or a Miss, Ms or Mrs, you would have become a
Dr. You will be given a Provisional License to practice
medicine in Nigeria by the MDCN. However, you still have a
step to take before you can practice without supervision.
Internship (Housemanship)
You must undergo a twelve month period of internship in a
hospital certified for internship training by the MDCN before
you can be full registered. After this internship, you will
obtain your certificate of full registration which allows you to
fully practice medicine in Nigeria. You must complete this
internship within twenty four month of the date of graduation,
otherwise, you will be required to sit and pass MDCN's
assessmen1 examination before you can be fully registered.
Final Thoughts
Many people think of medicine as a "calling" much like
priesthood. To some extent this may certainly be true. You
must have a great desire to become a physician. A driving
passion to help people, to be challenged, and to learn
throughout your life. You will sacrifice your time and energy
for the care of your patients, often forsaking your family and
yourself. Most doctors will tell you they can't imagine doing
anything else. Being a doctor is simpl\y who they are, not
just what they do. The desire to help others a need within
them, like breathing, or hunger.
Once you have made the decision to become a doctor, you must
pursue it whole-heartedly.
I leave you with this quote from Aristotle: “ It concerns us to
know the purposes we seek in life, for then, like archers aiming
at a definite mark, we shall be more likely to attain what we
desire ."
Welcome to the medical profession. Source:www.oluwadiya.com/Files/become%20doctor.htm 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by faboben10: 7:16pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
whosoever reads should pls summarise 1 Like |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by ddaammyy(f): 7:22pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
Could the OP not have summarised and highlited the points for easy understanding? |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by hamzakito(m): 7:25pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
correct |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by sandrahnaub(f): 7:29pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
Haba! Summarize na |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Nobody: 7:39pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
No doubt, this' a beautiful write up. Kudos bro... I expect to be admitted into medicine @oau come nxt year. 1 Like |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Nobody: 8:09pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
Next time, copy, organise before pasting... |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Nobody: 9:26pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
and you think any reasonable person will read this... you must be a joker |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Joskiro50: 10:23pm On Aug 19, 2015 |
It may be too scattered for those who don't need it. Thanks op, this has really geared me..Lord, help me to get this course I applied for (Kogi State University) IJN Amen 1 Like |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Nobody: 10:06pm On Oct 03, 2015 |
A beautiful piece. welldone Op from a medical doctor 1 Like |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Nobody: 8:35pm On Mar 20, 2016 |
I have read it b4 and I still love it. Prof. Oluwadiya is EKSU med school provost. 1 Like |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Sammiejay: 9:17am On Apr 16, 2016 |
I read it... its indeed helpful. Am reasonable and I read it 2 Likes |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Nobody: 4:52pm On Jun 28, 2016 |
Joskiro50:please Dont Come Here. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Reeberry: 11:49pm On Jun 29, 2016 |
Realberry:What has he done to you babe? |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Nobody: 8:19am On Jun 30, 2016 |
Reeberry:You... |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Muyogoa: 8:50am On Jun 30, 2016 |
kai kilode! One has to bookmark or safe this page and be reading it small small. Maybe we go finish reading am after 30 days. |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Reeberry: 12:18am On Jul 01, 2016 |
Realberry:What..? |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Reeberry: 12:19am On Jul 01, 2016 |
Muyogoa:The op that copied and paste it sef would find it difficult to read at ones. |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Nobody: 3:13pm On Jul 01, 2016 |
Reeberry:what Would I Give For You To Stop Talking Me Mr Name Stealer? |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Reeberry: 3:34pm On Jul 01, 2016 |
Realberry:I don't understand. |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by whiz10(m): 6:13pm On Jul 01, 2016 |
thanks, a lot. . .this will go a long way. |
Re: All You Need To Know Before Aspiring To Be A Medical Doctor. by Abelalpha(m): 1:05pm On Mar 13, 2017 |
Nonsense...copy nd paste. This post was written by proffessor oluwadiya a medicine lecturer at EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY.....u jst copied nd pasted it like its ur work |
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