3 answers
Sarah Kathryn
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
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Medical field
What does a day of being a person in the medical field look like, and what kind of things do they do?
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3 answers
Evan Claggett
Medical Student
12
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Evan’s Answer
The day in the life of a medical professional can vary greatly! To make things easier it might be helpful to create some basic categories.
1. Clinical positions: These people see and interact with patients every day. They range in responsibilities and daily duties but they spend their day interacting with patients, performing procedures, prescribing treatments, or administering therapy.
2. Nonclinical Administration: Healthcare facilities are often massive facilities with thousands of employees. Administration positions often spend their days making sure the hospitals run smoothly. Behind every healthcare system are people who make sure technology functions well, equipment and materials are operational and in the right location.
3. Nonclinical Academic and Research: These people spend their day teaching, researching, and providing educational material for the field of medicine.
The more you dig into the field of medicine the more variation you can find! Speaking as a soon-to-be doctor I can say that you can truly find a fulfilling career in treating patients. Being part of a functioning team working together to heal patients is a great way to make a living.
1. Clinical positions: These people see and interact with patients every day. They range in responsibilities and daily duties but they spend their day interacting with patients, performing procedures, prescribing treatments, or administering therapy.
2. Nonclinical Administration: Healthcare facilities are often massive facilities with thousands of employees. Administration positions often spend their days making sure the hospitals run smoothly. Behind every healthcare system are people who make sure technology functions well, equipment and materials are operational and in the right location.
3. Nonclinical Academic and Research: These people spend their day teaching, researching, and providing educational material for the field of medicine.
The more you dig into the field of medicine the more variation you can find! Speaking as a soon-to-be doctor I can say that you can truly find a fulfilling career in treating patients. Being part of a functioning team working together to heal patients is a great way to make a living.
Elyse elyse@rastomp.com
Nurse Practitioner
2
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Elyse’s Answer
I can answer this from two perspectives, from the inpatient and outpatient view.
Working outpatient things run like a machine, the nurse/aide will room the patient, take vitals while the doctor/practitioner gets ready to see the patient. The provider spends 15-30 mins with each patient counseling them on the reason for their visit, answering questions ect. If tests are indicated at time of visit they can be performed in office when applicable. Once done seeing patients for the day notes must be written, follow up work on labs/tests from patients that may have come back, answering inbox questions from patients. The nurses position in an outpatient clinic focuses more on the insurance and patient support role versus actually seeing patients when compared to other roles.
On an inpatient side: the nurse spends the day assessing their patients, communicating with a multitude of teams that are involved on the patients care team, passing medications, working with PT/OT when applicable. In some cases, the bedside nurse may assist in bedside procedures.
The provider will round on their list of patients, assess each patient, discuss plan of care with patients & family’s. Respond to pages/questions from other services/nurses. Prescribe medications & treatments to aide in patients recovery. They also work in collaboration with case management and/or social work to ensure timely and safe discharge of patients.
If you would like clarification on any of these roles in each setting please feel free to reach out for more information!
Working outpatient things run like a machine, the nurse/aide will room the patient, take vitals while the doctor/practitioner gets ready to see the patient. The provider spends 15-30 mins with each patient counseling them on the reason for their visit, answering questions ect. If tests are indicated at time of visit they can be performed in office when applicable. Once done seeing patients for the day notes must be written, follow up work on labs/tests from patients that may have come back, answering inbox questions from patients. The nurses position in an outpatient clinic focuses more on the insurance and patient support role versus actually seeing patients when compared to other roles.
On an inpatient side: the nurse spends the day assessing their patients, communicating with a multitude of teams that are involved on the patients care team, passing medications, working with PT/OT when applicable. In some cases, the bedside nurse may assist in bedside procedures.
The provider will round on their list of patients, assess each patient, discuss plan of care with patients & family’s. Respond to pages/questions from other services/nurses. Prescribe medications & treatments to aide in patients recovery. They also work in collaboration with case management and/or social work to ensure timely and safe discharge of patients.
If you would like clarification on any of these roles in each setting please feel free to reach out for more information!
Nick D’Angelo, PharmD, CSP, MSCS
Pharmacist
18
Answers
Rochester, New York
Updated
Nick’s Answer
Medical professionals spend most of their day seeing patients, providing medical advice and care, and performing administrative duties that are dependent on their focus/specialty. It is very rewarding work, but can also be exhausting. Are there specifics you are interested in?