To teach or do research, physicians may acquire a master's or Ph.D. in such fields as biochemistry or microbiology. They may otherwise spend 1 year or more in research or in an advanced clinical training fellowship. A physician's training is costly. While education costs have increased, student financial assistance has not. Scholarships have become harder to find.
Loans are available, but subsidies to reduce interest rates are limited.
People who wish to become physicians must have a desire to serve patients, be self-motivated, and be able to survive the pressures and long hours of medical education. For example, medical residents often work 24-hour shifts and 80 hours a week or more. Efforts, however, are being made to limit the hours residents work. Prospective physicians must also be willing to study throughout their career to keep up with medical advances. Physicians should have a good bedside manner, emotional stability, and the ability to make decisions in emergencies.