3 answers
Morgan
Student
Lenox, Massachusetts
1
Question
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Day in the the life?
Looking for advice
What's a day in the life like of a doctor?
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3 answers
Michael Cadra
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, physician and dentist
29
Answers
Nipomo, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Morgan,
That is a very difficult question for anyone in the profession to answer. We each have our own schedules. There are about 135 recognized medical specialties and 160 if you count subspecialties.
There are few if any GP's (general practice) docs left. This indicates to those in the profession that the doc only had 1-2 years of post-doctoral education (residency) and is not board certified. Most states now require at least 3 years of residency in order to obtain a license. Most hospitals and medical groups require sufficient education to allow the physician to sit for the board specialty of their choice.
You will find some multiple of 160 specialties times the number of physicians in that specialty that can describe their days. There are new specialties that are emerging all the time. For example, when I first licensed, there was no such thing as a hospitalist.
As a surgeon, I would start most days between 6 and 7 AM rounding on my in-house patients, followed by breakfast, then meeting my patient of the day in the preop area. Following surgery, I would complete all the paperwork and retreat to the office, most of the time to start seeing post-operative patients. The later half of the day (if it was not a long case in the AM) would be seeing consults and preop patients. At the end of the office day I would return to the hospital to round on the patient(s) that I operated that day. On the days that I was not in the hospital OR, I would still have to round on my patients, then see patients for minor procedures in the office followed by consults and post-ops.
I was on trauma call every third to fourth night, some nights were quiet, some not so. As a trauma center our hospital required us to be able to respond to the ER within 15 minutes. Depending on urgency I may be in the OR most of the night.
Now not all surgeons take trauma call. There are general surgeons that are the designated "Trauma Surgeon" but are backed up with orthopedics, ENT, plastics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, interventional radiology and others.
Other specialties, radiology, emergency, hospitalists, etc can work shifts of 6-12 hours. Some doctors like to work overnight shifts, others not so much. The schedule is often at the discretion of the medical group or the hospital.
There are "life style specialties", such as dermatology, radiation oncology, and others which may be 8-5 or less. I have a friend that is a great anesthesiologist but after close to 30 years of call and many hours of trauma cases decided to settle in to a outpatient surgery center doing only elective cases and supervising CNRA's. Nice 8-4 or so job.
As a physician you can chart your own course. I find it unfortunate that medical students are only exposed to a very few of the specialties, many make their final choices after pursuing an internal medicine, general surgery or non-categorical residency. Many of the subspecialties do require board qualification in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN or other specialties.
That is a very difficult question for anyone in the profession to answer. We each have our own schedules. There are about 135 recognized medical specialties and 160 if you count subspecialties.
There are few if any GP's (general practice) docs left. This indicates to those in the profession that the doc only had 1-2 years of post-doctoral education (residency) and is not board certified. Most states now require at least 3 years of residency in order to obtain a license. Most hospitals and medical groups require sufficient education to allow the physician to sit for the board specialty of their choice.
You will find some multiple of 160 specialties times the number of physicians in that specialty that can describe their days. There are new specialties that are emerging all the time. For example, when I first licensed, there was no such thing as a hospitalist.
As a surgeon, I would start most days between 6 and 7 AM rounding on my in-house patients, followed by breakfast, then meeting my patient of the day in the preop area. Following surgery, I would complete all the paperwork and retreat to the office, most of the time to start seeing post-operative patients. The later half of the day (if it was not a long case in the AM) would be seeing consults and preop patients. At the end of the office day I would return to the hospital to round on the patient(s) that I operated that day. On the days that I was not in the hospital OR, I would still have to round on my patients, then see patients for minor procedures in the office followed by consults and post-ops.
I was on trauma call every third to fourth night, some nights were quiet, some not so. As a trauma center our hospital required us to be able to respond to the ER within 15 minutes. Depending on urgency I may be in the OR most of the night.
Now not all surgeons take trauma call. There are general surgeons that are the designated "Trauma Surgeon" but are backed up with orthopedics, ENT, plastics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, interventional radiology and others.
Other specialties, radiology, emergency, hospitalists, etc can work shifts of 6-12 hours. Some doctors like to work overnight shifts, others not so much. The schedule is often at the discretion of the medical group or the hospital.
There are "life style specialties", such as dermatology, radiation oncology, and others which may be 8-5 or less. I have a friend that is a great anesthesiologist but after close to 30 years of call and many hours of trauma cases decided to settle in to a outpatient surgery center doing only elective cases and supervising CNRA's. Nice 8-4 or so job.
As a physician you can chart your own course. I find it unfortunate that medical students are only exposed to a very few of the specialties, many make their final choices after pursuing an internal medicine, general surgery or non-categorical residency. Many of the subspecialties do require board qualification in medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN or other specialties.
Thank you so much Michael!
Morgan
Joe L.
Program Manager
88
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Joe’s Answer
A typical day for a general practitioner (GP) or family physician varies depending on the practice setting (e.g., private practice, clinic, or hospital) but generally involves a mix of patient care, administrative duties, and sometimes consultations or procedures. Here's an overview of a typical day:
1. Morning
Arriving at the clinic/hospital: GPs usually start early, often around 7:00–8:00 AM. They review patient charts, test results, and notes from the previous day before seeing their first patient.
Patient appointments: GPs see a range of patients for various conditions—acute illnesses, chronic disease management, routine check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive care.
Each patient visit lasts about 15–30 minutes.
Common concerns include colds, hypertension, diabetes, routine physicals, and screenings.
2. Midday
Patient visits continue: The morning patient flow continues, with a mix of appointments for diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, or providing guidance on healthy living.
Administrative tasks: In between appointments, GPs often complete paperwork, review lab and imaging results, respond to emails or messages from patients, and coordinate care with specialists.
Consultations: GPs may consult with other doctors, such as specialists, regarding patients' care plans.
3. Lunch
GPs often have a short break for lunch, but some may use this time for additional administrative tasks, phone calls, or hospital rounds if they admit patients.
4. Afternoon
Continued patient care: The afternoon usually mirrors the morning, with more patient consultations. This could include follow-up visits for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or mental health management.
Referrals and care coordination: GPs may refer patients to specialists or arrange for diagnostic tests such as blood work or imaging (X-rays, MRIs).
5. End of the Day
Wrap-up: After the last patient, the GP will complete any remaining paperwork, chart notes, review test results, and handle follow-up calls or messages.
Reviewing patient outcomes: They may also spend time reviewing outcomes of referred cases or following up on complex cases that require ongoing management.
6. After-hours
Depending on the setting, GPs may be on-call for urgent issues, especially if they are in private practice or rural settings. If not, their day typically ends around 5:00–6:00 PM.
Additional Considerations:
Routine care: GPs perform routine check-ups, monitor patients’ health over time, and focus on preventive care.
Chronic disease management: GPs frequently help patients manage long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and asthma.
Patient diversity: They see patients of all ages, from children to seniors.
Education: GPs educate patients on healthy lifestyle choices, preventive care, and medication adherence.
This balance of patient interaction, diagnosis, treatment planning, and administrative work defines a GP's day.
1. Morning
Arriving at the clinic/hospital: GPs usually start early, often around 7:00–8:00 AM. They review patient charts, test results, and notes from the previous day before seeing their first patient.
Patient appointments: GPs see a range of patients for various conditions—acute illnesses, chronic disease management, routine check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive care.
Each patient visit lasts about 15–30 minutes.
Common concerns include colds, hypertension, diabetes, routine physicals, and screenings.
2. Midday
Patient visits continue: The morning patient flow continues, with a mix of appointments for diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, or providing guidance on healthy living.
Administrative tasks: In between appointments, GPs often complete paperwork, review lab and imaging results, respond to emails or messages from patients, and coordinate care with specialists.
Consultations: GPs may consult with other doctors, such as specialists, regarding patients' care plans.
3. Lunch
GPs often have a short break for lunch, but some may use this time for additional administrative tasks, phone calls, or hospital rounds if they admit patients.
4. Afternoon
Continued patient care: The afternoon usually mirrors the morning, with more patient consultations. This could include follow-up visits for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or mental health management.
Referrals and care coordination: GPs may refer patients to specialists or arrange for diagnostic tests such as blood work or imaging (X-rays, MRIs).
5. End of the Day
Wrap-up: After the last patient, the GP will complete any remaining paperwork, chart notes, review test results, and handle follow-up calls or messages.
Reviewing patient outcomes: They may also spend time reviewing outcomes of referred cases or following up on complex cases that require ongoing management.
6. After-hours
Depending on the setting, GPs may be on-call for urgent issues, especially if they are in private practice or rural settings. If not, their day typically ends around 5:00–6:00 PM.
Additional Considerations:
Routine care: GPs perform routine check-ups, monitor patients’ health over time, and focus on preventive care.
Chronic disease management: GPs frequently help patients manage long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and asthma.
Patient diversity: They see patients of all ages, from children to seniors.
Education: GPs educate patients on healthy lifestyle choices, preventive care, and medication adherence.
This balance of patient interaction, diagnosis, treatment planning, and administrative work defines a GP's day.
Rita Chuang
Physician
206
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I'm a family practice physician and this answer varies between when I worked for myself vs when I worked for a company.
Myself:
I usually wake up at 6:30 or so and start working on refilling medications and answering patient questions from my computer at home. Then I drive to work (3 miles) and start getting ready. I see patients from 8-4 pm M-F but Wed I work 8-2. At lunch and between patients, I review documents from specialists, refill medications, and answer questions. After work, I do the same thing. On Wed afternoon, I work on payroll for the staff. On Saturdays and Sundays, I also refill medications and answer questions so that Monday is not as crazy. Previously, I would see patients in the hospital so I would either go in before work or after work to see those patients.
Working for a company:
I work M-F 8-5. I still arrive early to work about 7:30 AM to answer questions and refill medications. The load of patients was less (about 20 vs 35-40 patients a day). Longer hours but less patient and they got rid of answering questions on the patient portal.
Myself:
I usually wake up at 6:30 or so and start working on refilling medications and answering patient questions from my computer at home. Then I drive to work (3 miles) and start getting ready. I see patients from 8-4 pm M-F but Wed I work 8-2. At lunch and between patients, I review documents from specialists, refill medications, and answer questions. After work, I do the same thing. On Wed afternoon, I work on payroll for the staff. On Saturdays and Sundays, I also refill medications and answer questions so that Monday is not as crazy. Previously, I would see patients in the hospital so I would either go in before work or after work to see those patients.
Working for a company:
I work M-F 8-5. I still arrive early to work about 7:30 AM to answer questions and refill medications. The load of patients was less (about 20 vs 35-40 patients a day). Longer hours but less patient and they got rid of answering questions on the patient portal.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Morgan