The journey to becoming a doctor involves choosing a specialty that aligns with your interests and long-term goals. While some medical fields may initially seem like the easiest doctor to become, it’s essential to consider the long-term demands and alignment with your passions. By selecting a specialty that matches your professional aspirations, you can ensure a rewarding and sustainable career.
In this blog, we’ll explore different medical specialties and highlight those considered less competitive and demanding, helping you navigate the path to becoming a doctor.
- 5 Easiest Doctors to Become
- How Hard Is it to Become a Doctor?
- How Much Do Doctors Make?
- Top 5 Medical Schools in the US
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
5 Easiest Doctors to Become
When you’re exploring the easiest doctor to become, it’s really about looking at the time commitment and training involved. Calling certain specialties “easy” doesn’t take away from their importance or the skills required—it’s just about comparing the overall effort needed for education and training.
That doesn’t mean there’s a strict ranking of difficulty across specialties, though. Every path in medicine requires unique abilities and dedication. The key is to find a specialty that aligns with your interests and career goals. After all, the easiest doctor to become is the one that feels right for you.
1. Internal medicine doctor
Training period: Typically 3 years
Average salary (Payscale): $231,281
If you’re considering internal medicine, it’s a specialty that focuses entirely on adults and their unique health conditions. As an internist, you’d be responsible for preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of diseases and conditions that can affect any part of the adult body. You’d also play a big role in health maintenance and disease screening while often referring patients to other specialists when needed.
During your residency, you’d gain expertise in managing chronic and acute illnesses, using a comprehensive and patient-centered approach.
One of the best parts of internal medicine is its flexibility. You could work in primary care, hospital medicine, or even specialize further in a particular area. This adaptability makes it an appealing choice and may align with what some consider the easiest doctor to become while still offering a meaningful and impactful career in adult healthcare.
2. Family medicine doctor
Training period: Typically 3 years
Average salary (Payscale): $211,946
If you’re looking for a versatile and rewarding specialty, family medicine might be the perfect fit. As a family medicine doctor, you’d be trained to care for patients of all ages—from pediatrics to adult care—and even handle specialties like gynecology and gastroenterology. You’d get to treat every member of the family, providing comprehensive care and managing a wide variety of health concerns.
What makes family medicine truly special is its adaptability. You can work in private practices, community clinics, or even rural healthcare facilities. Most family medicine work is office-based, focusing on “well” and “sick” visits, with less emphasis on hospital settings.
Plus, with subspecialties like sports medicine, geriatrics, or obstetrics, you have the chance to focus on areas that align with your interests. For many, this combination of flexibility, shorter training, and meaningful work makes family medicine one of the easiest doctors to become.
3. Emergency medicine doctor
Training period: Typically 3-4 years
Average salary (Payscale): $211,621
If you’re drawn to a fast-paced and dynamic medical career, emergency medicine might be the perfect fit. As an emergency medicine doctor, you’d work in the ER, handling everything from everyday illnesses to serious trauma cases. You truly become a jack-of-all-trades, assessing and treating a wide variety of patients in high-pressure situations where quick, critical decisions are key.
When considering the easiest doctor to become, emergency medicine often stands out due to its relatively shorter residency. This means you can jump into the field sooner while gaining the expertise needed to manage acute illnesses and injuries effectively.
Another great perk of emergency medicine is the flexibility. With varied shifts, you can adapt your schedule while tackling a broad range of cases, from cardiac emergencies to trauma and infectious diseases. If you thrive in unpredictable environments and want a career that’s both challenging and rewarding, emergency medicine could be the perfect fit for you.
4. Psychiatrist
Training period: Typically 4 years
Average salary (Payscale): $246,437
If you’re considering psychiatry, you’d be stepping into a specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders—including substance abuse issues. Most of your work would involve talking with patients to understand their challenges and using treatments like psychotherapy or medication to help them improve.
For those exploring the easiest doctor to become, psychiatry often comes up because its residency program is shorter compared to many surgical specialties. This focused training prepares you to use a variety of therapeutic approaches, from counseling and medications to holistic methods, helping patients achieve better mental health.
Psychiatrists play an essential role in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. You’d not only help individuals manage conditions like mood or psychotic disorders but also contribute to raising awareness and providing critical support.
If you’re passionate about understanding the connection between mind and body, psychiatry could be one of the most fulfilling—and for some, the easiest doctor to become—while making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
5. Anesthesiologist
Training period: Typically 4 years
Average salary (Payscale): $341,792
If you’re considering anesthesiology, you’d be stepping into a specialty that ensures patients are comfortable and pain-free during surgeries and other procedures. As an anesthesiologist, you’d not only administer anesthesia but also monitor vital signs and manage pain, both in the operating room and for patients with chronic conditions like cancer.
Anesthesiologists play an important role in creating a safe and controlled environment during surgeries. Your work would involve determining the right type and dosage of anesthesia, managing any complications, and ensuring patients remain stable throughout their procedure. If you’re looking for a highly specialized yet straightforward path in medicine, anesthesiology could be a rewarding choice.
How Hard Is it to Become a Doctor?
Before you slip into that white coat, you’ll need to build a strong foundation through your education.
In the U.S., becoming a doctor is a long journey that requires serious dedication and determination. If you’re thinking ahead, you can start preparing as early as high school by taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. These can set you up to meet some of your undergraduate coursework requirements later, giving you a head start.
Don’t forget about extracurricular activities, too. Volunteer work, especially in healthcare settings, can strengthen your medical school application and show your commitment to the field. While the path might feel intense, focusing on your goals early on can make the journey smoother.
1. Finish your undergraduate degree.
You’ll need to start with a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes about four years to complete. While there’s no set major you must choose, many pre-med students opt for fields like biology, chemistry, or something similar.
What’s most important is completing the required courses in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and math. Some schools even offer specific pre-med programs that include classes designed to help you prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
2. Pass the MCAT.
To practice medicine, you’ll need to pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) after college. This standardized test is a key step for gaining admission to medical schools.
The MCAT is a five-hour, computerized exam that tests your verbal reasoning, critical thinking, biology, and physical sciences. Most medical schools will heavily consider your MCAT score as part of the admission process.
But it’s not just about test scores. Medical school admissions committees are looking for well-rounded candidates. That means you’ll need to engage in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other experiences to show your dedication to healthcare and your community.
3. Survive med school.
Medical education and training usually takes about four years. The first two years are all about hitting the books and doing lab work to build the foundation you’ll need to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases and conditions.
During your second year of medical school, you’ll also take the first part of the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 1), which tests your knowledge of basic medical principles. In the last two years, you’ll get some hands-on experience through rotations in hospitals and clinics, working side by side with seasoned physicians.
The second part of the USMLE, which usually happens in your fourth year, tests your understanding of disease development and clinical diagnosis, just as you’re preparing for residency training. Some schools even offer a combined six-year program that blends academic learning with medical training.
When choosing where to go, you might consider research-oriented institutions or those focusing specifically on primary care. And as you work through your options, remember that you’ll have two main medical degree paths: Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Depending on the route you take, you may find certain specialties to be the easiest doctor to become based on your interests and goals.
4. Finish residency.
In the US, after medical school, you’ll enter a residency program where you’ll work closely with experienced and knowledgeable physicians to hone your skills. The length of your residency depends on the specialty you choose—it can range from 3 to 7 years.
For example, if you decide to become a pediatrician, your residency will be about three years, but if you go the route of urology, you’ll spend five years in residency. You’ll apply through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), which helps match you to a residency position.
Once you’ve completed your residency, you’ll need to take the final part of the USMLE. This step usually comes last because, before you can sit for USMLE Step 3, you need certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
The exam tests your ability to handle clinical and patient management issues, making sure you’re ready to practice medicine safely and effectively. While the process can be challenging, depending on the specialty, you might find that some routes—like psychiatry—could be the easiest doctor to become based on the duration of the residency.
5. Earn board certification.
Once you’ve completed medical school and residency, it’s time to pick a specialization. There are 24 subjects recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties that you can choose from. After selecting your field, you’ll need to appear in front of a board to get certified.
Some of the specializations include forensic medicine, anesthesia, psychiatry, physiology, anatomy, general medicine, and pharmacology. As you’re narrowing down your options, keep in mind that certain specialties might be the easiest doctor to become, depending on factors like the length of additional training required and your personal interests.
6. Get a state license.
To legally practice medicine, you’ll need to obtain a medical license from your state after completing your training and board certification. Keep in mind that the requirements for a physician’s license can vary depending on where you’re located, but one thing remains the same—you’ll need to pass all four parts of the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).
Here’s what you can expect:
- Step 1: A multiple-choice exam that tests basic clinical concepts and scenarios.
- Step 2: Two separate Clinical Knowledge Exams.
- Step 3: A multiple-choice exam that evaluates how well you can apply medical knowledge in clinical situations.
How Much Do Doctors Make?
While the road to becoming a doctor isn’t short, it’s worth noting that wages for physicians and surgeons are among the highest in all occupations, with a median salary of $239,200 per year or more. Plus, the job outlook is positive. The overall employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow by 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is right on par with the average for all occupations.
In fact, about 23,600 openings for physicians and surgeons are expected each year, mostly due to retirements or workers moving to different careers. So, whether you’re eyeing the easiest doctor to become or a more specialized field, there’s a growing demand for doctors across all specialties.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the shortest time to become a doctor?
The shortest time to become a doctor in the U.S. is typically around 10 to 11 years. Here’s the breakdown:
- Bachelor’s degree. 4 years (You need to complete an undergraduate degree, often in a science-related field like biology or chemistry).
- Medical school. 4 years (Medical school provides the foundational knowledge and clinical experience).
- Residency. 3 to 4 years (Residency is where you specialize in your chosen field of medicine).
2. What are the most competitive medical specialties?
The most competitive medical specialties are typically those that have high demand, prestige, and a limited number of training spots. Some of the most competitive specialties include: dermatology, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery.
3. What is the difference between an MD and DO degree?
In the U.S., there are two types of medical degrees:
- MD (Doctor of Medicine): MDs are allopathic physicians who focus on diagnosing and treating diseases through conventional medical practices, such as surgery and medications.
- DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine): DOs are trained in a similar way to MDs, but they also receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), which involves using the hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses.
Takeaways
- Some of the easiest doctors to become due to their length of residency and general program requirements include: internal medicine, family medicine, and emergency medicine.
- Some of the top medical schools in the US are: John Hopkins University, Harvard Medical School, and Stanford University School of Medicine.
- Going through the road to medical school can feel overwhelming: from choosing the right pre-med program to acing your MCAT and crafting a standout application. Our personalized coaching ensures you can highlight your unique strengths and aspirations, positioning you for success in gaining admission to top medical schools.
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