The healthcare industry is thriving, despite today’s harsh economic times. For this reason, when considering their career options, many students may turn to medicine. There are several professions in the medical field from which students can choose, including home health aides, pharmacists, nurses, and even doctors. If the student decides to pursue a more hands-on patient care career, they find themselves at a crossroad with one path leading toward a career as a doctor (MD) and the other leading towards a career as a physician assistant (PA). This is a difficult choice for many students interested in the medical field; both professions offer patient care, are high-paying, and require rigorous schooling. The selection between the two leading fields of medicine, a doctor (MD) and a physician assistant (PA), have several similarities along with significant differences.
To start with, becoming an MD is no easy feat. This profession requires investing several years of school. Most medical schools require, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree and a high score on the MCAT, …show more content…
After gaining a bachelor’s degree, the student would move onto a master’s program that is half classroom-based and half clinical practice. Students do not need the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to apply. Completing this program takes roughly two years, resulting in a total of six years of schooling. After graduation, a PA can diagnose and treat patients, prescribe non-controlled medication, order diagnostic tests, and assist with surgeries. On average, a physician assistant will earn $107, 268 per year. Furthermore, clinics that do not perform surgery often prefer to hire PAs instead of MDs as it is less costly for them. With several years less schooling required, which equates to less money spent on education, becoming a PA may be the right choice for
To start with, becoming an MD is no easy feat. This profession requires investing several years of school. Most medical schools require, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree and a high score on the MCAT, …show more content…
After gaining a bachelor’s degree, the student would move onto a master’s program that is half classroom-based and half clinical practice. Students do not need the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to apply. Completing this program takes roughly two years, resulting in a total of six years of schooling. After graduation, a PA can diagnose and treat patients, prescribe non-controlled medication, order diagnostic tests, and assist with surgeries. On average, a physician assistant will earn $107, 268 per year. Furthermore, clinics that do not perform surgery often prefer to hire PAs instead of MDs as it is less costly for them. With several years less schooling required, which equates to less money spent on education, becoming a PA may be the right choice for