The field of medicine and the career of a doctor is incredibly diverse and flexible. Few fields offer a wider variety of opportunities. This video answers many questions high school students ask.

1. 1
Making the Decision

2. 2
Am I the right kind of person?
Do you care deeply about other people, their problems and their pain?
Do you enjoy learning and gaining new understanding of things? Do you
often dig deeper than teachers require? Do you understand the value of
learning beyond just making good grades?
Do you enjoy helping people with your skills and knowledge? Do you enjoy
using your hands, eyes and mind to gather information?
Are you interested in how the human body functions? Are you intrigued by
the ways medicine can be used to improve life?
If you have answered “yes” to most of these questions, chances
are you have the right stuff to take on a career in medicine.

3. 3
Careers in Medicine
• Opportunity Allows you to help people
• Action Doesn’t tie you to a desk all the time
• Respect You are an important part of the community
• Security Allows you a good living with a secure future
• Excitement Changes daily, hardly ever boring
• Mobility You are in demand wherever you choose to live
• Flexibility Gives you many career options from the same education base

4. 4
Medical Career Options

5. 5
Professional Occupations
in Health
• General Practitioners and Family
Physicians, Specialist Physicians
• Dentists
• Veterinarians
• Optometrists
• Chiropractors

6. 6
Professional Occupations in
Health Diagnosing and Treating
• Pharmacists
• Dietitians and Nutritionists

7. 7
Therapy and Assessment
Professionals
• Audiologists and Speech-Language
Pathologists
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists

8. 8
Nurse Supervisors and
Registered Nurses
• Head Nurses and Supervisors
• Registered Nurses

9. 9
Technical and Skilled
Occupations in Health
• Medical Laboratory Technologists and
Pathologists' Assistants
• Medical Laboratory Technicians
• Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists
and
• Respiratory Therapists, Clinical
Perfusionists and Cardio-Pulmonary
Technologists
• Medical Radiation Technologists
• Medical Sonographers
• Cardiology Technologists
• Electroencephalographic and Other
Diagnostic Technologists, n.e.c.
• Denturists
• Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists
• Dental Technologists, Technicians and
Laboratory
• Other Technical Occupations in Health Care
(Except Dental)
• Opticians
• Midwives and Practitioners of Natural
Healing
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Ambulance Attendants and Other
Paramedical Occupations

10. 10
Assisting Occupations
in Support of
Health Services
• Dental Assistants
• Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient
Service Associates

11. 11
Career Overview
General Practitioners
Family Physicians
Specialist Physicians

12. 12
Probably the first hands that touched you were
the confident hands of a doctor.
The doctor was there to care for you through a
sore throat or stomach ache or put a cast on your
broken arm.
A doctor may have saved your life or the life of
someone you love.
While growing up you wanted to be a doctor.
At some point, most of us have…

13. 13
But, now you are in high school
and it is becoming more of a
reality than ever.
Now what?
What do you need to know?
What should you know?
Let’s dig a little deeper…

14. 14
What’s a doctor’s career like?

15. 15
The field of medicine and the career of a doctor is
incredibly diverse and flexible.
Few fields offer a wider variety of opportunities.
Most doctors' professional lives are filled with caring for
people and continuously learning more about the human
body.
Every day in communities around the country, doctors
work in neighborhood clinics, hospitals, offices, even
homeless shelters and schools to care for people in
need.

16. 16
Physicians do many things:
Physician researchers are at work today developing
exciting new treatments for cancer, genetic disorders,
and infectious diseases like AIDS.
Academic physicians share their skills and wisdom by
teaching medical students and residents.
Others work with health maintenance organizations,
pharmaceutical companies, medical device
manufacturers, health insurance companies, or in
corporations directing health and safety programs.
People with medical skills are in demand everywhere.

17. 17
What can I do now in high
school to prepare for medical
school?

18. 18
• Basic Science Courses (Physics 40S and
Chemistry 40S
• Math 40S (Pre-calculus or applied)
• Biology 40S or 40G (optional – a but wise
choice)
• English 40S or French 40s
High School Academics

19. 19
• Advanced Placement programs
• Exchanges
• Special interest clubs
Take advantage of opportunities
for enrichment such as:

20. 20
DO WELL IN SCHOOL!
The competition for a position
in medical school is tough!
Use your time in high school to
develop good study habits, manage your
time effectively and learn about the world
around you!

21. 21
Not just for science “nerds”!
A well-rounded education is just as
appropriate as one that focuses
solely on science, computers and
math.
History, drama and religion all have
a place in a medical career.

22. 22
How long does it take to get a
medical education?

23. 23
Most would say a lifetime.
Doctors are always learning as new discoveries are
made and new technologies develop.
However, it usually takes four years after college to
obtain the M.D. degree.
After that, you will choose a medical specialty and
spend three years or more as a resident physician in
a teaching hospital, where you train for certification
in a specialty and will be paid, usually about $35,000
a year, to care for patients.

24. 24
EducationandLicensing
HighSchool
HighSchoolDiplomaorGED
UniversityUndergraduate
Studies
Bachelor'sDegree
MedicalSchool
2yearspreclerkship;2yearclerkship
LicensingExaminationbytheMedical
CouncilofCanada
Residency
examples:familymedicine;
gastrontology;surgery;pediatrics,
radiology
LicensingexaminaionsbytheRoyal
CollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeonsof
CanadaortheCollegeofFamily
PhysiciansofCanada
Employmentand
ContinuingEducation
Experienceand
Extracurricular
Career
Exploration
Volunteer and work experience as well as hobbies and sports will strengthen interpersonal and academic skills, and help you deal
with diverse stressful situations. The Admissions Committee will look beyond academic potential to be satisfied regarding your
suitability for a career in medicine.
Physicians have both demanding and rewarding lifestyles. You should use volunteer opportunities and networking to help you
decide whetehr medicine is a way of life you will be happy with in the long term and to learn about some of the career choices you
will have while you are training to become a physician.
4 years3 - 4 years 2 - 5+ yearsto grade 12
- Chemistry 40S
- Physics 40S
- Math 40S
- English or
French 40S
- Biology 40 S or 40G
- Take advantage of
enrichment
opportunities.
- Any degree
(BSc, BA, - BEng…)
- Required:
English or French
Literature and
Biochemistry
- Recommended:
physics, gentetics,
microbiology, and
physiology
Medical Education Timeline
Print-outs available upon request

25. 25
Where do I go for my
pre-medical education?

26. 26
As you select a college remember that just as in high school, a good liberal arts
education is a key ingredient to becoming a physician.
You'll need a strong foundation in mathematics and the sciences that relate
most to medicine: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.
It is important for your college experience to be broad. Taking courses in the
humanities or liberal arts will help you prepare for the "people" side of medicine.
We will provide you with some questions to ask while you consider a college or
university.
Your career guidance counselor or science teacher can help you find the
answers.
You also should consult the many college guidebooks found in your school's
guidance office, local libraries, and bookstores.

27. 27
Does the school have a good faculty and a reputation for high academic standards?
Is it accredited?
Does it offer a broad range of courses in the humanities and in the social,
behavioral, and natural sciences?
Does it have strong science departments with good laboratory facilities?
Does it offer all of the required courses I need for acceptance to medical school?
Does the college have a designated advisor specifically trained to help students
interested in the health professions?
Does it have a good track record for having its students accepted to medical school?
Does it offer extracurricular activities that appeal to me? Are there programs to do
volunteer work at local hospitals or clinics?
Are there programs where I can demonstrate leadership and compassion?
Does it "feel right" for me? Am I comfortable with its size, location, social life, and
general atmosphere?
Is it affordable for me and my family?

28. 28
Canadian Medical Schools
University of Manitoba
University of BC
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of Saskatchewan
McGill University
Université de Montréal
Université de Sherbrooke
Université Laval
Dalhousie University
University of Ottawa
University of Western Ontario
Queens University
McMaster University
University of Toronto
Memorial University
of Newfoundland

29. 29
Is medical school expensive?

30. 30
Average Canadian Tuition Fees1
2012/13 2013/14 2012/13 to 2013/14
Current $ % change
Dentistry 16,678 17,324 3.9
Medicine 12,012 12,438 3.5
Nursing 4,985 5,103 2.4
Pharmacy 10,463 10,942 4.6
Social & Behavioral
Sciences 4,966 5,107 2.8
1 Using the most current enrolment data available, average tuition fees have been weighted by the
number of students. Fees at both public and private institutions have been included in the calculations.
(Statcan.gc.ca: 09/2013)

31. 31
Manitoba’s Undergraduate
University Costs
Reasonable Costs Breakdown
Cost Item Cost for 1 year( 2 semesters/8 months)
Tuition, Faculty & Student Fees $5,000 – 16,750
Books & Supplies $1,000 – 5,000
Accommodation $4,800 – 12,000
Food $2,700
Health Insurance (single) $270
Clothing $600
Transportation (city bus pass) $750
Entertainment $750
Miscellaneous $750
Estimated Total $ 16,620 – 39,570
NOTE: This table represents an estimate of costs in Canadian dollars, for a single student living at a
very modest level for one calendar year period at the University of Manitoba. Non-resident and
International student will be more. (5/2014)

32. 32
A wide array of loans and grants are available to
those who are determined to get a medical
education.
About 60% of medical students in Manitoba
borrow money to cover their expenses.
They receive financial assistance through the
Federal Government Loan Program and the
Manitoba Government Loan Program.

33. 33
When do I apply for
medical school?

34. 34
At the University of Manitoba about 80% of
students apply to medical school during the third
year of their degree program and begin medical
school after they graduate with their Bachelor's
degree.
Others finish university and work for several
years before they begin their medical education.

35. 35
Is getting in as tough
as they say?

36. 36
Medical schools are looking for the finest minds
and the most motivated students who have a
strong and demonstrated interest in working with
people.
It takes hard work and commitment to be
admitted to medical school.

37. 37
What is medical school like?

38. 38
Medical school is challenging.
If you want to take responsibility for people's
health and well-being, you have to be serious
about learning.
Once you are accepted, the medical school faculty
and staff will do everything they can to help you
succeed.
In fact, in Canada, more than 97% of entering
medical students are successful in obtaining their
MD degrees.

39. 39
Will medicine provide
me with a good living?

40. 40
Your first salary is during your residency training.
This small salary is generally sufficient to support
yourself. This salary increases each year of
training until you are done.
How much you will make as a doctor will depend
on many factors; What type of medicine you
practise, what part of the country you live in, how
many hours you work to name a few.
Regardless of these factors, physicians generally
make a sufficient income to live comfortably.

41. 41
Most Doctors would probably agree that the work
and training process is too difficult to be
attempted solely as a means of earning money.
Instead, medicine is a career that should be
pursued out of a passion for caring for members
of your community and an interest in science –
not financial gain.

42. 42
Why become a practitioner in a
rural or northern community?

43. 43
Family practice combines internal medicine,
pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, and
psychiatry.
A family physician is responsible for the health
care of patients of all ages, both sexes, and is not
limited to an organ system or disease.
Physicians in this field serve as a counselor,
personal physician, diagnostic evaluator and
problem solvers.

44. 44
RealityMake it …