What does a doctor do after medical school?
It is common for some doctors to be unsure about which career path to follow after graduation. Many choose to work as general practitioners in primary healthcare, but there are those who prefer to pursue specialization, either through residency or postgraduate medical studies.
In the case of residency, according to official information from the Ministry of Education (MEC), graduates can, starting in 2025, use their score from the National Medical Training Assessment Examination (Enamed) to enter Direct Access Medical Residency programs, in which the newly graduated doctor undergoes intensive practical training in a hospital environment, aiming at specialization in a specific area of Medicine.
The major issue behind medical residency is that the number of available positions is not compatible with the number of medical professionals graduating annually, and therefore, many end up resorting to postgraduate medical studies as an alternative. Furthermore, according to the 2025 Medical Demographicsstudy, conducted by the University of São Paulo (USP) in partnership with the Brazilian Medical Association and the Ministry of Health, in 2024 there were approximately 16,200 direct-access medical residency positions for the more than 32,000 doctors who graduated the previous year.
Therefore, and for other reasons, medical postgraduate studies are gaining more and more space in the medical field after graduation, especially because they offer advantages to those who wish to reconcile the pursuit of specialization with their professional routine.
In this article, you will better understand what medical postgraduate studies , and have your questions about more specific issues answered.
What is medical residency and postgraduate studies?
Medical residency is a type of postgraduate training within the medical field, regulated by the Ministry of Education (MEC). It involves a period of intensive practical training, lasting from one to five years depending on the chosen specialty, during which the professional works in hospitals and health units under supervision, combining technical learning with direct experience in patient care.
Postgraduate studies in Medicine, as in other fields, are an opportunity to delve deeper into a specialty or topic within a particular area.
For this purpose, there are two different types of recognized postgraduate programs: Lato Sensu and Stricto Sensu.
Lato Sensu: postgraduate courses aimed at deepening specific knowledge of the job market with practical specialization, designed for immediate application. These are specialization courses and MBAs (Master in Business Administration).
Stricto Sensu: postgraduate courses aimed at research and academic careers, focusing on the training of researchers. This includes master's and doctoral degrees.
For physicians, postgraduate studies are an opportunity to deepen their knowledge in their chosen specialty and gain more confidence in clinical practice.
Furthermore, it often allows professionals to begin working in the field and earn income during their studies, depending on the institution and the confidence the doctor feels in performing the role.
This, of course, takes into account the quality and reputation of the chosen institution. Before deciding, it's important to research patiently and clarify your goals for the postgraduate program.
What are the advantages of a postgraduate medical degree?
Up-to-date scientific knowledge
Medical postgraduate programs can offer up-to-date content in their advanced theoretical training, with qualified professors who are active in the healthcare market and have extensive professional experience, thus providing greater depth in specific concepts and market innovations.
Practical lessons and theoretical foundation
Some medical postgraduate programs offer, in addition to a strong theoretical foundation, practical classes with the care of real patients and/or simulations of more complex cases using technology.
Throughout the course, students have the support of professors for questions, case discussions, and assistance throughout the practical component.
Keep in mind that this is an issue that can vary from institution to institution, and the choice will depend on the doctor's goals and priorities.
Study and work
For physicians seeking to continue working while further specializing in a particular field, postgraduate studies, depending on the institution chosen, offer the best balance between these two objectives.
A postgraduate medical degree allows you to improve your professional skills while maintaining a work routine and income. Furthermore, it enables you to begin working in the field and earn a living while you study.
Network of contacts
During postgraduate studies, physicians also have the opportunity to expand and diversify their professional network, opening up possibilities for job offers, partnerships, patient exchanges, and much more.
Higher quality of life
Many doctors choose to work primarily through shifts, as they usually offer good pay and a quick way to enter the market, but this reality is not always ideal. This routine can be exhausting, with long hours and little predictability, in addition to making it difficult to practice in a specialty.
Therefore, it is common that, over time, some professionals seek a more stable and controlled lifestyle through postgraduate studies, more precisely defining their area of expertise and thus building a more focused career.
Are there online (distance learning) postgraduate medical courses available?
Yes, there are online medical postgraduate courses , mainly aimed at those with very busy schedules and irregular hours who need flexibility. This is a recognized modality and is increasingly valued by the Ministry of Education (MEC), even considered very similar to the in-person method.
In some institutions, postgraduate studies are also conducted in a hybrid model, with online theoretical classes and in-person practical classes.
What changes in practice after completing a medical postgraduate degree?
As a doctor, a professional is authorized to treat all areas in which they feel qualified, but a general practitioner will rarely have the same expertise when treating more specific cases.
By pursuing a postgraduate medical degree, a professional becomes qualified to care for patients in more specific settings with greater safety and effectiveness than a general practitioner, precisely because they have more knowledge and practical experience in the field. This allows for a more precise identification of comorbidities and directs patients towards more effective treatment.
Medical Postgraduate Program at São Leopoldo Mandic
The postgraduate medical program at São Leopoldo Mandic is an opportunity to enhance your career, combining intensive practical experience with a solid theoretical foundation in up-to-date and innovative content.
During classes, students have contact with real patients under the supervision and guidance of renowned professors, with the highest practical workload on the market, in a hybrid modality with outpatient care and virtual care with telehealth.
If you already know which path to follow and want to start your medical postgraduate studies, click here and learn about the postgraduate courses at São Leopoldo Mandic!
