Health Career: Doctor
Who are doctors, and what do they do?
Doctors, also called physicians, diagnose, treat and try to prevent human illness, disease and injury. They examine patients, analyze their conditions and symptoms, order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They also educate patients about preventive health care methods such as exercise and good nutrition. They often research new methods for improving health care.
What are some types of doctors and their different specialties?
In addition to general practitioners (who treat men, women and children of all ages), doctors specialize in many specific areas of care, such as: oncology (cancer patients), pediatrics (children's health), surgery and obstetrics/gynecology (women's health). You can find more information about the many different types of doctors by asking your family doctor, high school career counselor, school librarian and by doing research in a library or on the Internet.
Here is a brief introduction to some of the many types of doctors:
- A cardiologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the heart and its functions.
- An emergency room physician treats all patients who come to the emergency department of a hospital with any variety of complaint, whether they are medical or traumatic in nature. They stabilize patients and then transfer them on to primary care physicians or specialists as needed.
- A dermatologist treats patients for various skin problems by performing lab tests, prescribing medicine and performing surgeries.
- A general practitioner, or family medicine specialist, provides general medical services to all members of a family on a continuing basis. He or she refers patients to a specialist when they have a condition or disease that requires specialized care.
- A gynecologist sees only women patients and diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the female genitalia.
- An internist works with adult patients diagnosing an entire spectrum of chronic health issues like diabetes, hypertension and cardiac diseases.
- A neurologist diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the central nervous system, including brain tumors, alzheimer's disease and sleep disorders.
- An obstetrician provides health services to pregnant women, new mothers and women who are trying to conceive a child. He or she delivers babies and cares for the mother for several weeks or months after she gives birth.
- A pediatrician provides general medical services to children from birth through adolescence.
- A psychiatrist diagnoses and treats patients for mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, including depression, paranoia and schizophrenia.
- A radiologist interprets patient’s imaging tests like x-rays, ultrasounds and MRI's to screen them for internal diseases and conditions.
How do doctors typically spend their workday?
As a doctor, you will generally work in a health clinic, hospital, private office or public health agency. Many doctors now work as part of a group practice or a health maintenance organization such as Kaiser. You can either be a general practitioner or you can specialize in areas like cardiology, emergency medicine or obstetrics. As a general practitioner, you may see patients for routine checkups, diagnose health disorders, provide prescriptions and general medical advice.
What does it take to be a good doctor?
Do you enjoy interacting with people and want to help improve their health and prevent disease? An effective doctor should be able to remain calm, compassionate and rational in the face of long hours and stressful situations. You should also enjoy working with a team of health professionals, and be interested in health, science and medicine.
What are some health-related jobs that are similar to that of a doctor?
Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, dentist, veterinarian.
Related links and helpful information:
- American Medical Association
- Internet Medical School Directory
- Association of American Medical Colleges
