Physician Career Informational
by Deba Elaiho
What is a physician and what do they do?
A physician is a person qualified to practice medicine. Physicians diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare.
What are the education/experience requirements for being a physician?
Physicians have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.
Where or what kind of facility would a physician work at?
Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel. Basically, any hospital or clinic you walk into, there's a pretty high and absolute chance that you will see a physician. They may have different specialties, but they're always there. Increasingly, physicians are practicing in groups or health care organizations that provide backup coverage and allow for more time off. Physicians in a group practice or health care organization often work as part of a team that coordinates care for a number of patients; they are less independent than the solo practitioners of the past.
What is the job outlook for a physician?
Employment of physicians is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job growth is projected due to increased demand for healthcare services by the growing and aging population. So most likely, if you plan on venturing into the physician career, you have a good chance of finding a job.
What are some advancement opportunities and requirements to advance for physicians?
Some physicians and surgeons advance by gaining expertise in specialties and subspecialties and by developing a reputation for excellence among their peers and patients. Many physicians and surgeons start their own practice or join a group practice. Others teach residents and other new doctors, and some advance to supervisory and managerial roles in hospitals, clinics, and other settings.
What is the approximate salary or wage for a physician?
Wages for physicians are among the highest of all occupations. The average physician salary kind of varies depending on your city or specialty. On average though, $138,578 is the average salary received yearly.
Gallery!
Advantages/Disadvantages to the Physician Career!
Advantages
- You earn lots of moolah. It takes some time though.
- You are constantly learning new things daily.
- The medical industry is constantly changing so the job is never boring.
- You get exposed to many cool and interesting medical procedures.
- You basically get to meet new people everyday.
Disadvantages
- You actually don't get to enjoy the perks of a big salary until later on in your career.
- It's very time-consuming and some physicians are unable to maintain a social life.
- The path to fully becoming a successful physician is long.
- There's a lot of paperwork to fill out and also a lot of research.
- Some patients and co-workers aren't so nice, especially, if they are superior to you.