Doctor Career Information

Doctors are responsible for diagnosing and prescribing medications and treatments for various illnesses, injuries and diseases. A doctor's duties often include examining patients, providing preventative health care and counseling patients on nutritional needs. Doctors are also in charge of ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests. There are two basic types of doctors who can specialize in a number of medical areas.

Types

A doctor is classified as either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Although MDs and DOs both use a variety of medical treatments, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine typically focuses on the body's musculoskeletal system, preventative treatments and holistic testing methods. DOs tend to have a whole-person approach to medicine, and most practice in the primary care disciplines of general or family practice, general pediatrics or general internal medicine.

Specialties

Doctors can obtain a specialty in numerous medical fields, including family and general medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and psychiatry. Family and general practitioners evaluate and treat a wide variety of basic health problems, but typically refer patients with serious medical conditions to specialists. Internists focus on diagnosing and treating the health of internal organ systems, such as the kidneys, stomach and liver. Pediatricians take care of the medical needs of infants, children and teenagers, while psychiatrists assess and treat patients' mental health problems.

Education and Training

Aspiring doctors must go through a very demanding formal education program. The educational path typically includes about 8 years of college coursework and training followed by an additional internship and residency. Medical students typically spend the first 2 years of medical school in classrooms and labs, focusing on human anatomy and physiology, pathology, pharmacology, biochemistry and psychology. The final 2 years of med school require working with patients in a health care setting under the supervision of licensed physicians. After graduation, a majority of potential doctors enter an internship or a residency that lasts from 3 to 8 years.

Licensure and Certification

All states require doctors to be licensed before they can legally practice medicine. Specific licensing requirements vary according to state, but all include graduating from an accredited medical school and passing a state licensing examination. Doctors seeking specific board certification must take a final examination right after residency. The American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) offers exams for 24 medical specialties and subspecialties, while the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) approves the licensing of 18 specialties.

Occupational Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job opportunities for doctors is predicted to grow more quickly than average through the year 2016. Employment opportunities will be best for doctors willing to practice in low-income or rural areas or in the specialties of family practice, obstetrics and gynecology or internal medicine. This job growth is the result of an aging population, advancement in medical technology and an expansion of health care industries. While doctors' salaries varied according to specialty, the BLS reports that the median annual salary ranged from about $137,000 to over $321,000 in 2006.

References

• BLS: Occupational Outlook for Physicians and Surgeons
• American Board of Medical Specialties
• American Osteopathic Association

Resources

• AspiringDoctors.org
• Association of American Medical Colleges
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine