Thread: Hyperbaric Medicine

Hi most esteemable Saba Students. I'm looking for more info on the M.S. and certificate programs in Hyperbaric med. Such as how often the courses are offered, how does the extra load on top of your med classes feel. What kind of research is being conducted or has been done in the past? How much is involved if you just go the certificate route. Are their graduates who did this and actually are practicing it, either full or part time, etc? Did you enjoy the experience, or was it more work than it was worth?

the added course load (to the MD program) is one lecture every two weeks or so, at the end of the day. It's an additional $1200/semester for the three semesters of work (HBOT 1-2-3). You can take the courses starting in 1st, 2nd or 3rd semesters, they offer them every semester. I opted out first semester but most likely will start in January. A classmate who is in HBOT 1 says the additional course work is minimal - a quiz every class, and minor research in the library. Serious research is necessary in HBOT 3, but nothing that can't be managed.

If you want to do hyperbaric medicine in the states I understand you'll still have to go to a major program for a two-week class session but that should be a cake-walk. Also, it's something different to talk about during your residency interviews.

I'm sorry, I found the similar threads on this, so never mind....

I'm in in hyperbaric med programI have to say it is definitely worth it if you have the $1200.

It's something fun that looks good on your CV, sets you apart without having to get all A's, and it's a hot medical field right now.

Compared to our MD coursework, hyperbaric is very easy...it's like a regular graduate class so you don't suffer from intense information overload like in say, anatomy or biochemistry. Once you get used to studying so intensly, other stuff such as hyperbaric comes much easier and very quickly. Anyhow, that's how it is for me.

I am also looking into it. When do you sign up for it..Before 1st semester or second. How many people are in the program.

Signing up for hyperbaric is really simple. You just show up to the first class and enroll, and then pay the administration office for the course within the first few weeks of class. Since only the few, the proud, and the elite do the program they are very flexible about it.
My only regret so far is that the hyperbaric grades count as a seperate GPA in the Masters program; they don't count for your MD GPA. Guess you can't have it all...

There is usually about 6 to 15 people in each hyperbaric class, so it makes for nice discussions, you can ask lots of questions. Most people seem to sign up during second semester, after getting used to the island, but the school recommends starting in 1st semester in order to finish in 3rd semester before the traditionally difficult 4th semester.

I wanted to give my 2 cents:
I completed the program a few years ago. When I applied to residency, I had more questions about my MS in Hyperbaric Medicine than anything else. It makes you stand out. Not to mention that down the road, it makes you valuable to a hospital with a HBO program that might be in need of another physician to run the program. I would recommend doing it if you have any interest at all.
Mike