<p>since you need an MD, is there like a residency/intern/fellowship requirement?</p>
<p>how long does it usually take, including undergrad?</p>
<p>can you do scientific research while doing clinical practice?</p>
<p>yes: 1 year transitional program or prelim internal medicine or even prelim surgery. This is then followed by 3 years in ophtho. There are categorical programs in which the first year is included as part of the program, so you only have to move once. Other programs you are technically applying to two years out. For example I have friend who is going into Anesthesia which has the same set up as ophtho. He is spending July 2007 - June 2008 in Des Moines IA for a transitional year, then he'll move to Tuscon AZ in July 2008 to do three years of anesthesia. </p>
<p>So total, including undergrad is 12 years.</p>
<p>Research depends on how and what you exactly want to do research wise...some practice types make doing research easier than others.</p>
<p>Also remember that ophthalmology is a competitive specialty so it is a good idea to do summer research in medical school so you could be more competitive when you apply to residency. Also try to get an away rotation in ophthalmology (in your fourth) so you get some experience in the field (if you school doesn't already have one).</p>
<p>why is opthalmology competitive? do you mean med schools produce many ophthalmologists (career-wise)? or do you mean people try to do opthalmology because it's easier than other medical fields (academic-wise)?</p>
<p>does the profession really have less prestige than other physicians?</p>
<p>Bigredmed, can you break down the 12 years? I'm guessing 4 ug + 4 grad + 4 residency?</p>
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why is opthalmology competitive? do you mean med schools produce many ophthalmologists (career-wise)? or do you mean people try to do opthalmology because it's easier than other medical fields (academic-wise)?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Because opthalmology is one of the surgical sub-specialties that has a great lifestyle compared to general surgery (and its fellowships). Urology is another one of those sub-specialties. Yes that is the breakdown, 4ug, 5med, 4res (including 1yr of trans/primarily). </p>
<p>For more info: <a href="http://residency.wustl.edu/medadmin/resweb.nsf/L/51675E1C167DF70186256F8F0073A46C?OpenDocument%5B/url%5D">http://residency.wustl.edu/medadmin/resweb.nsf/L/51675E1C167DF70186256F8F0073A46C?OpenDocument</a></p>
<p>ASMAJ, your breakdown totals up to 13 years, not 12. Why is it 5 yrs of med school?</p>
<p>what kind of qualities are required of an opthalmologist in general? i.e. delicate hand skills for surgery</p>
<p>Sorry, that was mistake. 4 years for medical school, even though there are decelerated medical programs which allow you to complete in 5 yrs.</p>