Hey TTT,
I'm a second year med student in Ottawa and like you, I did my first degree in Human Kinetics...anyways to answer your question, in Canada, "dive docs" are either invovled with Hyperbaric Medicine or they are family docs/specialist who have seeked further training specific to diving medicine. Recognize that physicians who work at hyperbaric chambers (in Canada) see very little dive related injuries (HBO, as already mentioned, is used for a wide scope of conditions other than dive injuries). If you really want to get into "Dive Medicine" (ie. clinical research) an MD, PhD. is the way to go...the only real way to truly specialise in this field. Some fellowships programs (training after completing residency) may exist in the US which can also serve this purpose. IMHO, focus on your present degree, get into med school; focus on that and than plan your residency. That being said, it sure wont hurt for you to get involved in dive medicine related things (ie. Divers Alert Network Projects, Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Society conferences etc). Lastly, call your local hospital and ask if you can take a tour of the hyperbaric chamber. Talk with docs at the chamber and get as much info as you can.......the only way to gain knowledge is to have answers; the only way to get answers is to ask questions....therefore the only way to gain knowledge is to ask questions...like you did on this board....best of luck!
I'm a second year med student in Ottawa and like you, I did my first degree in Human Kinetics...anyways to answer your question, in Canada, "dive docs" are either invovled with Hyperbaric Medicine or they are family docs/specialist who have seeked further training specific to diving medicine. Recognize that physicians who work at hyperbaric chambers (in Canada) see very little dive related injuries (HBO, as already mentioned, is used for a wide scope of conditions other than dive injuries). If you really want to get into "Dive Medicine" (ie. clinical research) an MD, PhD. is the way to go...the only real way to truly specialise in this field. Some fellowships programs (training after completing residency) may exist in the US which can also serve this purpose. IMHO, focus on your present degree, get into med school; focus on that and than plan your residency. That being said, it sure wont hurt for you to get involved in dive medicine related things (ie. Divers Alert Network Projects, Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Society conferences etc). Lastly, call your local hospital and ask if you can take a tour of the hyperbaric chamber. Talk with docs at the chamber and get as much info as you can.......the only way to gain knowledge is to have answers; the only way to get answers is to ask questions....therefore the only way to gain knowledge is to ask questions...like you did on this board....best of luck!
