Time Capsule Project Part 3: Career Research

About Physicians

Physicians work in the medical industry. Physicians diagnose and treat injured and ill patients. They may also console patients who are on diets, hygiene, or preventive healthcare. A physician examines a patient, takes medical histories, prescribes medications, orders, preforms, and evaluates diagnostic tests. The physician will review test results to identify any unusual or abnormal findings. A physician will also address any concerns or questions their patients have, update their medical information, and recommend and design a plan of treatment. There are a variety of different types of physicians. An example of a type of physicians would be a family or general physician, general internist, or general pediatrician. A family or general physician like all physicians works in a clinic or private office. They assess and treat conditions that happen in everyday life. The conditions treated by these physicians range from a common cold, sinus and respiratory infection to broken bones. Family and general physicians usually have regular, long term patients. A general internist diagnoses and provides nonsurgical treatment for problems that affect any internal organ systems. General internists treat things like stomach, kidney, and liver problems. General pediatricians provide care for younger people, from infants to young adults.

Education

To be a physician one must have a professional or doctoral degree. Applicants aiming to get into medical school must have at least a bachelor’s degree, though many have more than a bachelor’s degree. Even though no specific major is required applicants for medical school must have completed courses in math, biology, physics, English, and chemistry, students must take courses on social science and humanity too. Some students applying for medical school also volunteer at local hospitals and clinics for extra experience. Most applicants of medical school also must submit test scores from the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Medical schools will also consider the applicant’s personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. During the first two years of medical school students will spend most of their time in classrooms and laboratories. To become a physician you must also have residency or internship as part of your training. Your specialty will determine how many years or residency or internship you must have, a range of 3 to 8 years. Almost all physicians complete four years of undergraduate school, and four years of medical school.

Job Outlook

The job employment rate of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 18 percent from 2012 to 2022. The projected job employment rate of 18 percent is higher than the average projected job employment rate of all other occupations. The job employment rate will continue to grow because of the continued expansion of healthcare related industries. New technology will likely reduce the job employment rate of physicians though. The constantly improving technology will allow physicians to treat more patients in the same amount of time, thus needing less physicians. The median amount a physician was paid in the year of 2012 was $187, 200 a year or, $90 an hour.