Epidemiologist-USA
Epidemiologists are public health professionals who study the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in a specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global). Epidemiologists also recommend interventions to control, stop, or prevent the health issues.
Some examples of an epidemiologist’s scope of work include:
· Plan and direct studies of public health problems to find ways to prevent them or to treat them if they arise
· Collect and analyze information—including data from observations, interviews, surveys, and samples of blood or other bodily fluids—to find the causes of diseases or other health problems
· Communicate findings to health practitioners, policymakers, and the public
· Manage programs through planning, monitoring progress, and seeking ways to improve
· Supervise professional, technical, and clerical personnel
· Write grant proposals to fund research
Historically, epidemiologists focused on communicable diseases. However, areas of expertise have been expanded to fields such as:
· Non-communicable chronic diseases
· Environmental health
· Injuries
· Mental health
· Public health preparedness and emergency response
· Infectious diseases
Epidemiologists also work in a wide range of settings depending on their specializations and the nature of their work. Applied epidemiologists focus on address public health problems through education outreach and survey efforts in communities. They often work in health departments at local and state governments. Research epidemiologists often work for universities or federal agencies such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Typically, an epidemiologist would need at least a master’s degree in Public Health or similar degrees with a focus on Epidemiology. Some can complete a doctoral degree in Epidemiology or Medicine.
(Adapted from
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm#tab-1
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/careerpaths/k12teacherroadmap/epidemiologists.html )
General practitioner/medical officer - South Africa
The duties of general medical practitioners include the examination and diagnosis of patients, the prescription of medicines, performing minor operations and provision of different treatments for injuries, diseases and other ailments. Medical practitioners are licensed practitioners of medicine.
General practitioners diagnose and treat diseases and injuries and perform an important function in looking after the well-being of the community. Thorough knowledge of diseases and their symptoms is required for diagnoses and treatment. Medical doctors first compile clinical histories of their patients before making diagnoses. They make use of several techniques and different apparatus in the examination of patients, for example blood pressure gauges, X-rays and stethoscopes, in order to form an image of the disease or injury.
It is important that all factors be taken into consideration by general practitioners before a diagnosis is made. Treatment can be medical, surgical and therapeutic. They may prescribe medication or refer the patient to a specialist, for further diagnosis and special treatment. General practitioners may perform small operations or assist surgeons with big operations.