The educational requirements for doctors and physician assistants (PAs) differ significantly in terms of length and structure:
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Doctors:
- Medical doctors (MDs) typically complete a bachelor's degree (4 years), followed by medical school (another 4 years) to earn a medical degree (MD or DO). After medical school, they undergo residency training, which can last anywhere from 3 to 7 years, depending on the specialty. Some doctors may also choose to pursue fellowships for further specialization, which can add additional years of training.
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Physician Assistants:
- Physician assistants usually complete a bachelor's degree (4 years) and then attend a PA program, which typically lasts 2 to 3 years. PA programs offer a master's degree and include both classroom instruction and clinical rotations. PAs are trained to perform many of the same duties as doctors but do not complete residency training.
In summary, the path to becoming a doctor requires significantly more education and longer training compared to becoming a physician assistant.