Physician
About the Profession
Physicians are healthcare professionals that use their medical knowledge, assessments/exams, patient medical history, and labs to appropriately diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, and diseases. These health professionals are generally referred to as doctors but are more accurately labeled as physicians. There are several specialties within this profession that patients are referred to for specific injuries, illnesses, and disease states.
What does a physician do?
o Performs a full medical history and physical exam
o Orders any needed laboratory, radiology studies and/or arranges any needed procedures
o Interprets all histories, labs, studies, procedures, etc in order to create a prioritized differential diagnosis and/or decide on a diagnosis
o Educate patients on their diagnoses
o Recommend any treatment plans to manage illness or disease.
o Prescribe any necessary medications to treat patients.
o Perform procedures or surgeries that are needed
o Follow-up with patients on progression of any illness or disease in order to maintain the best health outcomes for the patient.
o Coordinate care for patient with other physicians and health professionals
o Advocate for their patients
Education/Training
Physicians have an extensive length of education and training. Along with a bachelor’s degree, physicians must complete a four-year doctorate program in medicine and then participate in a one-year residency program which allows them to obtain their medical license. Following the first-year residency program, almost all partake in another residency program which enables one to specialize. Some examples of specialties include anesthesiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, urology, general surgery, ear, nose and throat surgery, colorectal surgery. Further training can be done in fellowship programs in order to specialize more within each discipline. The number of years it takes to complete each residency/fellowship varies.
Where do physicians work?
Physicians can work in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Some environments physicians work in include but are not limited to hospitals, clinics, offices, nursing homes, academia, pharmaceuticals and research.
More Information
American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
ABMS | American Board of Medical Specialties
Physicians and Surgeons: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)