Aerospace Medicine Physicians

High School

In high school, take a challenging college preparatory curriculum that includes classes in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, health, physics, mathematics, psychology, and computer science. English, speech, writing, and foreign language classes will be useful because physicians must be excellent communicators. Try to take Advanced Placement (https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses) courses in these and other classes to improve your chances of being accepted to a top college.

Postsecondary Education

Aspiring aerospace medicine physicians must first earn an undergraduate degree in pre-medicine, biology, or another science- or health-related field. Then, they must apply, be accepted to a medical school, and earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. The Association of American Medical Colleges accredits U.S. and Canadian medical schools that award the Doctor of Medicine degree. In contrast, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation accredits medical schools in the United States that award the D.O. degree. Students typically participate in clinical rotations, during which they learn about various medical specialties. Rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, and emergency medicine offer the best preparation for a career in aerospace medicine.

After finishing medical school, students complete a residency/fellowship program. There are five accredited U.S. residency/fellowship programs in aerospace medicine:

• U.S. Air Force Residency in Aerospace Medicine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio
• U.S. Navy Residency in Aerospace Medicine in Pensacola, Florida
• U.S. Army combined Aerospace & Occupational Medicine Residency Program at Fort Rucker, Alabama
• Aerospace Medicine Residency Program at the University of Texas-Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas
• Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine Program in Rochester, Minnesota

Many aerospace medicine physicians also earn a master of public health degree with board certification to augment their training.

Certification

Some colleges and universities offer certificate programs for current AMPs who are pursuing board certification. For example, Wright State University offers a certificate in aerospace medicine for current AMPs pursuing the American Board of Preventive Medicine–board certification in the subspecialty of aerospace medicine. To receive the certificate, students must complete the following classes: Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine, Space Medicine, Aerospace Skills for Healthcare Providers, and Aerospace Toxicology.

Certificate programs are available in a wide range of health- and aerospace-related topics. These programs provide useful information to those wishing to expand their knowledge or explore various career fields.

Other Education or Training

Aerospace medicine physicians stay up to date regarding treatment options, emerging issues in the field, and professional practice protocols by participating in in-person and online continuing education classes. One major learning opportunity is the Aerospace Medical Association’s annual meeting, at which participants attend lectures, seminars, panels, workshops, and poster presentations, as well as view films and technical and scientific exhibits that present information on the latest results of clinical and research studies.