Although the information gathered about those institutions is important, it may not really determine the quality of the doctor that attends that school. Or does it?

First let’s talk about the people that are concerned with these rankings. It stands to reason that medical schools care – particularly medical schools that rely on private donation to fund expansion and education. Obviously the schools with greater notoriety will receive more private funding.

Another likely group is that of medical students. Although their future patients may not be concerned with where the doctors learned their trade, (but rather, only that they know their stuff!), medical students know that when applying for residencies it does make a difference where you’re coming from. If you are coming from a medical school on the Top Ten List you’ll be a residency program favorite.

The next – and last group of people to be discussed (that are concerned with the Top Ten List) is very likely a large group. This group includes the friends and relatives of the students that attend those schools. It seems that we all take pride in the achievements of those we love and care about.

Before actually sharing the list it is important to clarify that it is possible that some excellent medical schools may be missing. Just keep in mind that it’s a matter of ranking and what characteristics are used to make it. It does not mean that if a school is ranked low the doctors coming from there are not excellent and highly qualified.

One more detail: The Top Ten Lists are broken into Medical Schools of Research and Medical Schools of Primary Care. The medical school rankings have always been a point of concern for the schools as well as the students. In reality no single method for determining ranking works perfectly. When the results are determined almost every institution feels it should have been ranked higher. By breaking the schools into two lists (research and primary care) the problem is at least addressed but weaknesses in the method still exist.

Enough said – Now for the List!

Research

1. Harvard University
2. Johns Hopkins University
3. University of Pennsylvania
4. Washington University in St. Louis
5. University of California-San Francisco
6. . University of Washington
7. Stanford University
8. Duke University
9. Yale University
10. Baylor College of Medicine (TX)

Primary Care

1. University of Washington
2. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
3. University of Colorado-Denver and Health Sciences Center
4. Oregon Health and Science University
5. Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
6. East Carolina University (Brody) (NC)
7. University of Vermont
8. University of California-San Francisco
9. University of Wisconsin-Madison
10. University of Nebraska College of Medicine

Not only are these courses generally cheaper to pay for, but also they provide you with the flexibility for you to be able to carry out your studies at a time to suit you. Certainly this is a great way for many stay at home mums to earn a career and start bringing additional money into the home.

If you do choose to make the move to become a medical transcriptionist and considering using an online school then there are certain things that you should be looking for in them. Below we take a look at just what some of the things that a good online school will offer in relation to the course you wish to take.

1. You should teach you about the medical terminology by teaching you the medical root words along with their various prefixes and suffixes which are used by medical professionals.

2. Through the course you will learn about the various parts of the human body and its various systems which make it function in the way that it does. You will learn through this course about the muscles and skeleton, the circulatory and respiratory systems. You will also learn about the digestive, nervous, lymphatic, endocrine, genitourinary and integumentary systems as well.

3. The course should teach you about human anatomy and physiology as well as about the various different human diseases. Also the course will teach you the various medical abbreviations that are used along with details of the various different diagnostic tests and procedures that are used by medical professionals. Plus you will learn to understand what pharmacology is.

4. During the time you study with your online medical transcription school you will be taught the correct layout of all documents that you will be transcribing in the future. Plus the kind of language and words that you will be required to use in order to produce the right kind of reports or medical letters.

Another important thing to look for if considering using one of the many online medical transcription schools to do your training through is find ones which offer you the chance of getting some work experience. Therefore look for those courses which include work placement schemes and will help you to find employment upon completion of the course and after you have received your qualification.

Professionals in the field are usually required to possess a bachelor degree with a major in medical technology or one of the life sciences. The typical course will include classes in biology, chemistry, microbiology, math, and even practical computer applications. Students learn to prepare blood, urine and tissue specimens for examination; match blood types for transfusion; use microscopes, cell counters and other lab equipment to look for abnormal cells; make tissue cultures; perform a variety of simple and complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests; evaluate test results; and much more.

Training in medical technology may be found in colleges and universities, as well as hospitals and medical schools. The serious student should consider only those medical technology schools that are accredited by The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), or another respected accrediting agency, such as the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Upon graduation, the medical technologist may seek certification from a nationally accredited agency, such as American Medical Technologists (AMT). The medical professional with these credentials will have an edge over the competition, as well as increased salary potential.