1. Bachelor's Degree (4 years):
- Complete an undergraduate degree, typically a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or physics. This foundational education builds a strong scientific knowledge base.
2. Medical School (4 years):
- After obtaining a bachelor's degree, enroll in medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Medical school involves comprehensive training in various medical disciplines, including human anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical skills.
3. Residency (3-4 years):
- Following medical school, aspiring pulmonologists must complete a residency program in internal medicine. During residency, residents gain hands-on experience in managing various medical conditions, including respiratory diseases, under the supervision of experienced physicians.
4. Pulmonary Fellowship (2-3 years):
- After completing the internal medicine residency, those who wish to specialize in pulmonology undergo a fellowship program specifically focused on pulmonary medicine. This advanced training involves in-depth study of respiratory diseases, critical care, sleep medicine, and interventional pulmonology procedures.
Therefore, to become a pulmonologist, an individual typically needs four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, three to four years of internal medicine residency, and an additional two to three years of pulmonary fellowship training, totaling between 13 to 15 years of post-secondary education and training.