No doubt this profession requires deep knowledge of the academic disciplines (i.e. Anatomy, Physiology, etc.), existing diseases and their cures together with communicative skills that will enable doctors to establish good relationships with their patients.

In order to become a doctor you will have to go through many years of training, including undergraduate, graduate and hands-on study. To know exactly how long the training will take one must choose a specialty.

A pre-med student will typically obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology or Chemistry. All medical undergraduates should attend classes in Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Physics. This degree typically takes four years to complete.

Once the student has the prerequisites for Medical School, he/she can start applying for the tests, the most authentic being the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a gruelling nine and a half hour standardized exam. This exam has several sections and the student has to clear all of them in order to become eligible to be admitted to a reputable Medical School.

Students will typically then spend four years in a Medical School. During their first two years they do classroom and laboratory work in Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Medical Laws, Ethics and Pharmacology. In their last two years of Medical School they complete clinical rotations, or clerkships, in different medical departments such as: general practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, osteopathy, psychiatry and surgery. By experiencing these areas, students get the chance to decide on their specialty. Clinical rotations are conducted in hospitals and are always monitored by professionals.

Entering residency programs is the next step to becoming a doctor. This is the time when students obtain on-the-job paid training. Usually it is given in hospitals under the supervision of senior physician educators. Students are then called 'residents'. They act as professional doctors, dealing with patients, prescribing medications and working in different hospital areas.

If a specialty is chosen (i.e. Gastroenterology, Child Psychiatry, Oncology, etc.), the student will typically have to complete a fellowship or internship after their residency. This usually lasts from one to three years.

Regardless of your specialty, you as a Doctor must receive licensure before you start practicing medicine. Licensure is obtained from your jurisdiction or state, and this is done by passing the States Medical Licensing Exam. In Canada you must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the province you live in.

Becoming a Doctor is not easy. Your will power and effort will play an important role in making you a successful Doctor. You must develop a keen interest in research and medicine. You must study extensively once you decide to study medicine. Passing through all the years of rigorous study requires not only patience and dedication, but attentiveness, carefulness, and a great sense of responsibility. Sometimes students will not make it to the end, even after passing the medical exam. In this case, a student can opt for other medical jobs, such as nursing or becoming a vocational doctor.