Medical Anthropology?

Question

I am interested in Medical Anthropology, and had a few questions about the subject. What exactly is a medical anthropologist/ what do they do? How does one become one? How many years of schooling do you have to go through? What types of careers can someone have with this? Do you actually have to go to medical school [is a medical anthropologist a Doctor]? Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

One of the professors in my department is a medical anthropologist. She does anthropological epidemiology - specifically, computer modeling of cultural behavior's impact on disease patterning.

You do not need to go to medical school; however, you will need AT LEAST a master's degree in a program with a strong biological anthropology field (and preferably a Ph.D.).

Answer 2

Well being within the medical field I would advise everyone to take psychology and any other classes that helps you get to relate to people. If you are still in high school, don't just fall on health classes take art and debating classes, you need to be a people person. Well in my case I am wanting to be a pharmacist, and yes this is difficult. 4 years of college in an acredited school for pharmaceuticals. Then on the job training as an assistant. You must pass two difficult tests and then train for one more year. But once all that hard stuff is out of the way you will be making almost 100,000 a year. But this is Pharmacy, where as Anthropology may make around just the same but maybe less.

Answer 3

On the most broad scale, a medical anthropologist is one who examines the relationships between culture and health. As previous posters have noted, there are many specialties within the field. Med. Anthropologists are not medical doctors and do not need a med school degree. Generally, a four year undergrad degree and your masters will put you on a career path in this field. A PhD would also be useful but the former degrees will get you started.

Answer 4

You may be talking about "forensic anthropology" or a "forensic pathologist" both about the same.
You must understand, like others that have asked questions like this. You don't walk into a forensic lab and start working. like a person that wanted to be a brain surgeon.

You start with at least four years of college and take necessary classes that are pre-requisites like Lab, Biology, chemistry, heavy algebra and lab alga bra, physics and physiology, basics in medical courses, you still need your history, sociology, pathology, math, English, all these others and, let me tell you, there weren't many nights that I went to bed before one in the A.M. but I was determined. Out of 44 that started my class, only fourteen finished, one was a doctor and went on, he was the only one that graduated a doctor, in his class.
Then you have to go on into specializing if forensics and pathology. If you start school when your 18 years old, you may graduate when your 35 if your lucky and hang in there.
Have you seen any young forensic pathologists or specialists in this field.

I don't want to scare you off but, you must be determined and want it.