Education and training
- Complete high school with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Earn a bachelor's degree and complete required pre-medical coursework.
- Attend medical school to earn an MD or DO degree.
- Complete residency training in a chosen specialty.
- Some physicians complete additional fellowship training for subspecialties.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate patients and take medical histories.
- Perform physical examinations.
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests.
- Develop treatment plans.
- Prescribe medications when appropriate.
- Communicate with patients, families, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Skills needed
Critical thinking and problem-solvingStrong communicationScientific reasoningAttention to detailEmpathy and compassionAbility to work under pressure
Career growth
Physicians can specialize in areas such as pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, cardiology, oncology, and many others. With experience, physicians may also move into research, teaching, administration, or healthcare leadership.
A typical day
A physician's day can include seeing patients, reviewing medical histories and test results, performing examinations, developing treatment plans, documenting patient information, and communicating with other healthcare professionals. The schedule varies significantly depending on the specialty.
Where can you work?
- Hospitals
- Clinics and outpatient centers
- Private practices
- Research institutions
- Universities and medical schools
- Government and public health organizations