Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/26/2004

Question
hello please help me

I do not understand what an MBBS in terms of a degree. i thought that there were just three degrees. A Degree Bsc, a Masters Degree and a PHD. To become a doctor you have to do 5 years medical school to obtain and MBBS, then what happens? dont they have to have a phd to become a dr. what about a GP? what training do they go through to obtain what qulaifications at the end? to become a general practitioner, you dont have to go to london or anything... u can do it locally? thanks in advance

Answer
You are asking me about the British Medical Education System which is different from that of most other countries (at least outside the Commonwealth). I'm a Swede, so I may not be the best to answer this. My education was entirely done in Sweden (except for an exchange period in Israel). However, MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. That is the academic degree that gives you the right to work as a physician or surgeon. Please note that in most Commonwealth countries by tradition a surgeon is never called dr.! After this academic degree you may train to become a specialist. You may also proceed with further academic training leading to a Doctor of Medicine or a Master of Surgery (yes, there IS this difference). Also by tradition a physician is given the HONORARY title of dr.
In most other countries including the U.S.A. it is different. There a medical education, if completed, always leads to a degree of Doctor of Medicine. You may in some countries continue with more academic work after that. That then may lead to a PhD or ScD in medical science.
Exactly what you have to do to become a GP I do not know, but I suspect you need a general speciality training after MBBS. You will have to ask the British authorities. I do hope this answers your question, at least most of it!