A pulmonary specialist is a physician with specialized training in the area of pulmonology, which includes the lungs and the rest of the respiratory system. In order to become a pulmonary specialist an individual needs years of intense education and training in medical school, as a pulmonary intern and as a pulmonary resident. An undergraduate degree is required to be accepted into medical school, along with an extensive medical school application process.
It is necessary to receive an undergraduate degree to become a pulmonary specialist. Majors from four-year institutions can be in subjects ranging from the sciences to the humanities, though often a science background is preferred. Medical schools require a certain number of prerequisites before it is possible to be admitted, but as long as these are met any major is acceptable. Prerequisites include classes in various sciences as well as math courses. Grade point average (GPA) is an important factor in medical school admittance as is having good references from professors and research experience.
The medical school application process usually takes one year or more, and includes taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). These scores are important for being accepted as is an individual's personal and professional references, personal statement and GPA. Different schools have varying guidelines for applying to their medical school, so following the specific instructions of the school is important. Once accepted, medical school itself takes at least four years to complete and includes classroom work as well as hands-on training.
In order to become a pulmonary specialist, an individual must request that they are matched with a postgraduate training program in this area. This occurs once an individual has completed medical school. If a successful match is found during this process, the individual who wants to become a pulmonary specialist will begin training at a postgraduate institution. These are paid positions but require long and difficult hours of work.
After medical school, intense training in the area of pulmonology is required by those who wish to become a pulmonary specialist. This generally takes at least four to six years after medical school is completed by working as an intern, then as a resident, and eventually as a physician specializing in pulmonary medicine. The last few years of this training focuses specifically on working with respiratory problems and diseases that the physician will encounter in their career. Once training is completed the physician is able to work with pulmonary patients suffering from a wide variety of ailments.
