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Martins
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what do doctors do and how can i be one?
what do doctors do and how can i be one?
3 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6455
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Martins!
What Do Doctors Do?
Doctors are medical professionals who diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses and injuries. Their responsibilities can vary significantly depending on their specialty, but generally include the following key functions:
Patient Examination: Doctors conduct thorough examinations of patients to assess their health status. This involves taking medical histories, performing physical exams, and ordering diagnostic tests such as blood work or imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, MRIs).
Diagnosis: Based on the information gathered from examinations and tests, doctors diagnose medical conditions. This requires a deep understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
Treatment Planning: After diagnosing a condition, doctors develop treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs. This may involve prescribing medications, recommending lifestyle changes, or suggesting further tests.
Performing Procedures: Many doctors perform medical procedures ranging from minor interventions (like suturing wounds) to major surgeries (like appendectomies or heart bypass surgeries), depending on their specialty.
Patient Education: Educating patients about their health conditions and treatment options is a crucial part of a doctor’s role. This includes discussing potential side effects of treatments and the importance of follow-up care.
Collaboration with Other Healthcare Professionals: Doctors often work in teams with nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Research and Continuing Education: Many doctors engage in research to advance medical knowledge or participate in continuing education to stay updated on the latest medical advancements and techniques.
Administrative Duties: In addition to clinical responsibilities, doctors may also handle administrative tasks such as maintaining patient records and complying with healthcare regulations.
How Can I Become a Doctor?
Becoming a doctor is a lengthy process that requires dedication and commitment. Here are the steps typically involved:
Complete Undergraduate Education: The first step is earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. While there is no specific major required for medical school admission, students often choose fields like biology or chemistry because they cover prerequisite courses needed for medical school.
Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): Most medical schools require applicants to take the MCAT, which assesses knowledge in biological sciences, physical sciences, verbal reasoning, and critical analysis.
Apply to Medical School: After completing undergraduate studies and taking the MCAT, prospective students apply to medical schools through centralized application services like AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service). Admission is competitive; candidates must demonstrate strong academic performance along with relevant extracurricular activities such as volunteering or shadowing physicians.
Complete Medical School: Medical school typically lasts four years and consists of two main parts:
The first two years focus on classroom-based learning in subjects like anatomy, pharmacology, pathology, etc.
The last two years involve clinical rotations where students gain hands-on experience in various specialties under supervision.
Pass Licensing Exams: In the United States, after graduating from medical school, new doctors must pass licensing exams (USMLE - United States Medical Licensing Examination) to practice medicine legally.
Complete Residency Training: Following medical school graduation and licensing exams, new doctors enter residency programs that provide specialized training in their chosen field (e.g., internal medicine, surgery). Residency can last anywhere from three to seven years depending on the specialty.
Obtain Board Certification (Optional): After completing residency training, many doctors choose to become board-certified by passing additional exams in their specialty area.
Pursue Continuing Education: To maintain licensure and stay current with advancements in medicine throughout their careers, doctors must engage in continuing education activities regularly.
In summary, becoming a doctor involves extensive education and training but offers the opportunity to make significant contributions to individual patients’ health and well-being as well as public health overall.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used
American Medical Association (AMA)
The AMA provides comprehensive resources about the medical profession including educational pathways for aspiring physicians as well as ongoing professional development for practicing doctors.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
AAMC offers detailed information regarding medical education including admissions processes for medical schools across North America.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides data on job outlooks for various occupations within healthcare including detailed descriptions of what physicians do along with salary information and employment trends.
Probability that the answer is correct: 95%
God Bless You!
JC.
What Do Doctors Do?
Doctors are medical professionals who diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses and injuries. Their responsibilities can vary significantly depending on their specialty, but generally include the following key functions:
Patient Examination: Doctors conduct thorough examinations of patients to assess their health status. This involves taking medical histories, performing physical exams, and ordering diagnostic tests such as blood work or imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, MRIs).
Diagnosis: Based on the information gathered from examinations and tests, doctors diagnose medical conditions. This requires a deep understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
Treatment Planning: After diagnosing a condition, doctors develop treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs. This may involve prescribing medications, recommending lifestyle changes, or suggesting further tests.
Performing Procedures: Many doctors perform medical procedures ranging from minor interventions (like suturing wounds) to major surgeries (like appendectomies or heart bypass surgeries), depending on their specialty.
Patient Education: Educating patients about their health conditions and treatment options is a crucial part of a doctor’s role. This includes discussing potential side effects of treatments and the importance of follow-up care.
Collaboration with Other Healthcare Professionals: Doctors often work in teams with nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Research and Continuing Education: Many doctors engage in research to advance medical knowledge or participate in continuing education to stay updated on the latest medical advancements and techniques.
Administrative Duties: In addition to clinical responsibilities, doctors may also handle administrative tasks such as maintaining patient records and complying with healthcare regulations.
How Can I Become a Doctor?
Becoming a doctor is a lengthy process that requires dedication and commitment. Here are the steps typically involved:
Complete Undergraduate Education: The first step is earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. While there is no specific major required for medical school admission, students often choose fields like biology or chemistry because they cover prerequisite courses needed for medical school.
Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): Most medical schools require applicants to take the MCAT, which assesses knowledge in biological sciences, physical sciences, verbal reasoning, and critical analysis.
Apply to Medical School: After completing undergraduate studies and taking the MCAT, prospective students apply to medical schools through centralized application services like AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service). Admission is competitive; candidates must demonstrate strong academic performance along with relevant extracurricular activities such as volunteering or shadowing physicians.
Complete Medical School: Medical school typically lasts four years and consists of two main parts:
The first two years focus on classroom-based learning in subjects like anatomy, pharmacology, pathology, etc.
The last two years involve clinical rotations where students gain hands-on experience in various specialties under supervision.
Pass Licensing Exams: In the United States, after graduating from medical school, new doctors must pass licensing exams (USMLE - United States Medical Licensing Examination) to practice medicine legally.
Complete Residency Training: Following medical school graduation and licensing exams, new doctors enter residency programs that provide specialized training in their chosen field (e.g., internal medicine, surgery). Residency can last anywhere from three to seven years depending on the specialty.
Obtain Board Certification (Optional): After completing residency training, many doctors choose to become board-certified by passing additional exams in their specialty area.
Pursue Continuing Education: To maintain licensure and stay current with advancements in medicine throughout their careers, doctors must engage in continuing education activities regularly.
In summary, becoming a doctor involves extensive education and training but offers the opportunity to make significant contributions to individual patients’ health and well-being as well as public health overall.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used
American Medical Association (AMA)
The AMA provides comprehensive resources about the medical profession including educational pathways for aspiring physicians as well as ongoing professional development for practicing doctors.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
AAMC offers detailed information regarding medical education including admissions processes for medical schools across North America.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides data on job outlooks for various occupations within healthcare including detailed descriptions of what physicians do along with salary information and employment trends.
Probability that the answer is correct: 95%
God Bless You!
JC.
Brett Schlifstein
Anesthesiologist
27
Answers
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Updated
Brett’s Answer
Hi Martins,
Doctors do all kinds of different things. Most practice medicine, of which there are dozens of specialties. Others teach, perform research or function as administrators. Some combine parts of all of these.
The road to becoming a doctor (physician) is long and challenging. During fou ryears of college, you will need to make sure you take all of the medical school pre-requisites, These will include biology, genetics, physics, inorganic and organic chemistry. You will need to take the MCAT examination, and apply to medical school. I'd suggest applying to several, as admissions are very competitive.
Medical school will be another four years. The first two years are mostly classroom teaching. The second two years are clinical rotations through a variety of medical specialties. You will need to take and pass exams given by the National Board of Medical Examiners. All of the education to this point has to be paid for, and can be quite expensive. It is possible to run up debt that will follow you for decades, so financial planning, scholarships and grants are very important.
After graduation, most medical doctors attend a post graduate training program (internship/residency) in their desired specialty, which lasts 3 to 7 years. Some even do sub-specialty training called a fellowship. You will be paid during this time, and be working many hours. When you do the math, it's slightly above minimium wage. After residency, there will be a significant increase in pay.
The road is long and difficult, but the rewards are great. I get to help people every day through what can be a very difficult time, and in the process earn a very good living. Physicians generally work very hard, often times night and weekends for emergencies. There can be pressure to perform well, and there is a great amount of responsibility. For me, it has been a great career choice.
Hope that helps, and good luck!
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke Chowan Hospital
Doctors do all kinds of different things. Most practice medicine, of which there are dozens of specialties. Others teach, perform research or function as administrators. Some combine parts of all of these.
The road to becoming a doctor (physician) is long and challenging. During fou ryears of college, you will need to make sure you take all of the medical school pre-requisites, These will include biology, genetics, physics, inorganic and organic chemistry. You will need to take the MCAT examination, and apply to medical school. I'd suggest applying to several, as admissions are very competitive.
Medical school will be another four years. The first two years are mostly classroom teaching. The second two years are clinical rotations through a variety of medical specialties. You will need to take and pass exams given by the National Board of Medical Examiners. All of the education to this point has to be paid for, and can be quite expensive. It is possible to run up debt that will follow you for decades, so financial planning, scholarships and grants are very important.
After graduation, most medical doctors attend a post graduate training program (internship/residency) in their desired specialty, which lasts 3 to 7 years. Some even do sub-specialty training called a fellowship. You will be paid during this time, and be working many hours. When you do the math, it's slightly above minimium wage. After residency, there will be a significant increase in pay.
The road is long and difficult, but the rewards are great. I get to help people every day through what can be a very difficult time, and in the process earn a very good living. Physicians generally work very hard, often times night and weekends for emergencies. There can be pressure to perform well, and there is a great amount of responsibility. For me, it has been a great career choice.
Hope that helps, and good luck!
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke Chowan Hospital
Sean McBrien
Technology
18
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Sean’s Answer
Assuming you are interested in becoming a medical doctor, the first step would be to learn as much as you can about the occupational category that physicians (doctors) work in: healthcare. A good starting point would be the US government's Bureau of Labor Statistics website, particularly their job outlook site under healthcare: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm. There you can search for a number of different jobs in the healthcare profession and learn about educational requirements, job availability, and basic salary ranges. There are lots of options for physicians, physician's assistants, nurses, and so on. But if you're most interested in being a medical doctor, you will want to understand what MD's do on a daily basis and what is required to become an "MD" (Medical Doctorate) or an equivalent such as a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). The pathway to these degrees requires very good academics, meaning you must do well in school and get high grades. You will also need to concentrate in hard sciences like math, biology, and chemistry. You should prepare yourself for 8 to 10 years of post-high school education. Before being considered for medical school you will need an undergraduate 4-year degree from a college or university, preferably majoring in one of the hard sciences noted earlier. You should also be prepared to take and score high on the MCAT exam. The test will cover advanced biology, physics, chemistry, critical analysis and reasoning, psychology, and so on. Taking test preparation courses is highly recommended. After that you will need to apply to medical schools, which are very expensive so you should have an understanding of how you will pay for tuition, room, board, and other expenses. The application process is lengthy and is often comprised of submitting your academic record, a biography and personal essay, and face to face interviews. Depending on your specialization, you may need more education or certifications after medical school. From there many doctors go into what is called "residency". You work in a medical facility under supervision of more senior doctors for a period of 3 to 7 years. As you can see, it is not easy to become a medical doctor, but many go into the profession and find it very rewarding professionally, monetarily, and personally.
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