Physician and Surgeon Career Path
Job Description and Requirements
Job Description
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses in patients. Physicians examine patients, take medical histories, prescribe medications, and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities.
Citation: Bor, Bureau L. "Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 11 Jan. 2014.
Requirements
- 4 years of undergraduate school
- 4 years of medical school
- 3-8 years of internship and residency depending on their specialty
Pay
Physicians practicing primary care received total median annual compensation of $202,392, and physicians practicing in medical specialties received total median annual compensation of $356,885!
Personality Characteristics to be an Physician and Surgeon
- Confident
- Empathetic
- Humane
- Personal
- Forthright
- Respectful
- Thorough
Hitti, Miranda. "7 Key Traits of the Ideal Doctor." WebMD. WebMD, 9 Mar. 2006. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.
Responsibilities
- Professional competence
- Honesty with patients
- Patient confidentially
- Maintaining appropriate relations with patients
- Improving quality of care
- Improving access to care
- Scientific knowledge
- Maintaining trust by managing conflicts of interest
- Professional responsibility
Hitti, Miranda. "7 Key Traits of the Ideal Doctor." WebMD. WebMD, 9 Mar. 2006. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.
Work Environment
Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often helped by a small staff of nurses and other administrative workers. Surgeons and anesthesiologists usually work in sterile environments while performing surgery and may stand for long periods.
Bor, Bureau L. "Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 11 Jan. 2014.