What Education is Required to Become a Surgeon?
A Short Guide on How To Complete the Education Required to Become a Surgeon in Canada
In Canada, there are 17 accredited medical schools across the country that train students to eventually become physicians or surgeons and provide patient care. Due to the high demand for limited places, each accredited medical school has high admissions criteria, making them difficult for students to successfully gain acceptance to. In fact, Maclean’s reports that as of 2016, most medical schools in the country accepted less than 10% of applicants, on average, which means that many aspiring physicians and surgeons never get the opportunity to attend medical school in Canada.
Thankfully, for the students seeking a pathway to postgraduate medical education and surgical residency programs, there are other options when it comes to medical school. Learn how the American University of Antigua College of Medicine (AUACOM) is helping Canadian students gain the education they need to obtain a medical degree and practice medicine.
Canadian Medical School Admission Requirements
Canada’s medical schools are notoriously difficult to get into, and while that’s partially due to a lack of available spots for medical students, it’s also a direct result of the rigorous application process students are subject to.
That process includes:
- Obtaining an accredited bachelor’s degree in a related, science-based program
- Proving an above-average grade point average (GPA) in an undergraduate program
- Achieving a high score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Gaining valuable work, leadership and volunteer experience
- Writing an essay that outlines medical career goals and personal experiences that show aptitude and determination
- Discussing skills, goals and experience with medical school representatives in an admissions interview
Medical Education That Meets the Educational Requirements to Become a Surgeon
Attending medical school in Canada isn’t the only way to become a surgeon in Canada. Schools that are located outside the country, including AUAMED in the Caribbean, can provide the necessary foundation to work as a successful Canadian surgeon, such as a general surgeon, an orthopedic surgeon, or a surgeon in various other subspecialities, and help students develop advanced medical skills
Many international students who become graduates of AUAMED have been successful in their quests to becoming a surgeon, achieving board certification and taking on roles in fields such as:
- General surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Vascular surgery
- Internal medicine
- Cardiac surgery
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Surgical therapy
- Surgical oncology
- Plastic surgery
- Critical care
Attending Medical School in the Caribbean
The hands-on experience students gain during their time at schools like AUAMED prepares them to provide complex operative care. While attending an accredited program, they can receive specialty training, gain operating room experience, and participate in residency programs to ensure students gain experience in their chosen surgical specialty areas.
On top of that, students who complete medical school at AUAMED develop a thorough knowledge of their specialties through regular examinations and training pathways, providing them the physician’s credentials they need to achieve success in their careers.
Gain Undergraduate and Graduate Education Internationally
While there are several medical schools in the Caribbean that provide the necessary tools to pass Royal College exams and become a qualified medical doctor and surgeon in Canada, AUAMED is among the best options for students who are seeking a well-rounded medical education.
American International College of Arts and Sciences – Antigua’s (AICASA) Pre-Med Program provides students the opportunity to complete 60 undergraduate school credits, including the prerequisites for medical school, in just two years. Qualified graduates of AICASA’s two-year Associate’s Degree in Health Sciences are given preferential admission status to AUA College of Medicine.
Take Advantage of Hands-On Experience and Training Pathways
International medical graduates gain the same general surgery training and surgical residency training as aspiring surgeons studying in Canada. While abroad, students can interact with qualified health care professionals, eventually playing an important role in patient care. Prospective surgeons can work alongside professionals in the surgery department of their chosen field, whether it’s general surgery, neurological surgery, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery or providing surgical oncology for cancer patients.
