Hi all,
I am an aspiring physician, like most biology/science majors or pre-med concentrators. I wish to go into the field of surgery, more specifically orthopedic surgery of the spine, foot, hands, elbow and neuroscience (brain surgery), as well as partake immunological research and the prevention of diseases. I've declared a major in Pre-Biology with a concentration in Pre-medical studies. But I've ran into quite a dilemma. I also wouldn't mind designing instruments that can be helpful in sustaining a patient or bringing them back to recovery. I believe this is relative to the biomedical technology field.
What minor will give me a broad scope and understanding of the designing and architecture of medical instruments ?
I am an aspiring physician, like most biology/science majors or pre-med concentrators. I wish to go into the field of surgery, more specifically orthopedic surgery of the spine, foot, hands, elbow and neuroscience (brain surgery), as well as partake immunological research and the prevention of diseases. I've declared a major in Pre-Biology with a concentration in Pre-medical studies. But I've ran into quite a dilemma. I also wouldn't mind designing instruments that can be helpful in sustaining a patient or bringing them back to recovery. I believe this is relative to the biomedical technology field.
What minor will give me a broad scope and understanding of the designing and architecture of medical instruments ?
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I think you need to do your research, since from your question it's evident that you have not done very much.
Orthopedic surgeons typically specialize in a certain part/area, and you really won't find many (or any) orthopedic surgeons who specialize in spinal surgery doing anything else. You certainly will not find an orthopedic surgeon performing neurosurgery--that's a completely different residency, and given that both orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery are LONG residencies, it's simply not feasible or advisable for anyone to complete both.
I also think you're not necessarily using the term instrument very precisely. It sounds more like you want to design biomedical devices, namely ones specific to life support and rehabilitation of patients. If you want to minor in something that would give you the best chance of being able to do that, I would suggest biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, or something similar. Of course, the odds of you doing anything with life support devices as either a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon are slim to none...
I'd also dispute your assertion that most biology and science majors seriously intend to become a physician, because although it's certainly more than non-science majors, it's definitely not a majority by any means. If it were close to 50%, medical schools would be swamped with a LOT more applicants than they currently are.
Anyway, I think you need to do some legitimate research and actually learn about the options available to you before deciding on any one of them. It's evident you either haven't done this research, or any research you did was woefully inadequate, and basing future decisions on the little (and inaccurate) information you do seem to have is a mistake.
Orthopedic surgeons typically specialize in a certain part/area, and you really won't find many (or any) orthopedic surgeons who specialize in spinal surgery doing anything else. You certainly will not find an orthopedic surgeon performing neurosurgery--that's a completely different residency, and given that both orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery are LONG residencies, it's simply not feasible or advisable for anyone to complete both.
I also think you're not necessarily using the term instrument very precisely. It sounds more like you want to design biomedical devices, namely ones specific to life support and rehabilitation of patients. If you want to minor in something that would give you the best chance of being able to do that, I would suggest biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, or something similar. Of course, the odds of you doing anything with life support devices as either a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon are slim to none...
I'd also dispute your assertion that most biology and science majors seriously intend to become a physician, because although it's certainly more than non-science majors, it's definitely not a majority by any means. If it were close to 50%, medical schools would be swamped with a LOT more applicants than they currently are.
Anyway, I think you need to do some legitimate research and actually learn about the options available to you before deciding on any one of them. It's evident you either haven't done this research, or any research you did was woefully inadequate, and basing future decisions on the little (and inaccurate) information you do seem to have is a mistake.