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Doctors of Medicine (MDs) are also known as allopathic
physicians. They perform physical examinations and diagnose, prevent
and treat illnesses, injuries, and other disorders of the human
body. They also advise patients on how to improve their health habits.
Doctor of Medicine
Physicians may perform surgery and other highly
technical procedures. They often supervise other patient care workers
such as nurses, technicians, and assistants. Medical doctors need
high intelligence, good business sense, good judgment, and must
be able to deal with different types of people. Maturity, integrity,
honesty, ability to work under pressure, a sense of service to others,
and a sense of responsibility are important characteristics for
physicians. Because medical knowledge and technology are constantly
advancing, they must continue to study new developments throughout
their careers.
Areas of Specialization
Physicians who are specialists tend to limit their practice to one
particular area of the body, a particular disease, sex, or age group.
There are approximately 35 major specialty fields with over 50 different
subspecialty areas. Major specialty areas include anesthesiology,
family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology,
ophthalmology, pathology, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, and
surgery. Internal medicine specialists diagnose and treat problems
of internal organs such as the liver, heart, and lungs. Family practitioners
see patients of all ages and both sexes. They concentrate on primary
care for the entire family. When a special need arises the internist
or family physician may refer the patient to a doctor who specializes
in that problem.
Work Environment
Many physicians work at least 60 hours per week on an irregular
schedule and must be available for emergency illnesses. In addition
to working in their offices, many physicians will make frequent
trips to the hospital to care for their hospitalized patients and
may remain on-call to respond to emergency situations. The majority
of MDs who provide patient care have office practices either solo
or with a group of other physicians. An increasing trend is for
physicians to be employed by hospitals, public health departments,
government agencies, or health maintenance organizations (HMOs).
They may also be in academic settings as teachers and researchers.
Job Outlook
The combined total of family practitioners, internists, OB/GYNs,
and other physicians and surgeons employed in Florida in 2006 was
26,560. It is projected that in 2014 there will be 32,247. This
represents an annual growth rate of ~2.7, though the rate varies
slightly among disciplines. These openings are due to advancements
in medical technology which allow physicians to treat conditions
that were previously regarded as untreatable. Also, the population
continues to grow and age, and health care needs increase significantly
with age.
Length of Training/Requirements
After high school, a student can expect to spend at least 11 or
more years of education to become a medical doctor. Minimum requirement
for entry to medical school is three years of college. Some schools
offer a combined BS/MD degree (see academic advisor). Most applicants
have at least a bachelor's degree; however, with prerequisite courses.
Students must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Once
in medical school, students study the basic medical sciences such
as anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology,
medical ethics, and law. They also learn how to communicate with
patients, to take a history and perform a physical examination,
and recognize symptoms of illness. After graduation from medical
school, they continue on into graduate medical education (residency)
for three years or more, depending on the specialty chosen.
Updated: 2009 |
