Physician Careers
Physicians perform a wide range of roles in providing health care to their patients. They examine patients, document medical histories, diagnose illnesses, counsel in wellness and disease prevention, read and explain medical tests, perform surgeries, and prescribe medications. Physicians fall into two categories: Medical Doctors (MD) and Doctors of Osteopathy (DO). While both kinds of physician perform all of these roles, D.O.'s tend to be more focused on holistic approaches to the practice of medicine than MDs. Osteopathic physicians often pay particular attention to the musculoskeletal system and to preventive approaches to patient care. D.O.'s are also more likely to be practice as primary care providers, whereas MDs typically serve in both primary care and the various specialized areas of medicine. Listed below are some common areas in which physicians practice:
Primary Care/Family Medicine: Primary care physicians--those who serve as the general family doctor--are the first doctor a patient would go to see for care. Their role is to be generalists, prepared to diagnose and treat illnesses affecting all of the major bodily systems. Primary care physicians build practices around long-term relationships with patients of all ages.
Primary Care/Internal Medicine: Internal medicine physicians--also referred to as "internists"--are general doctors who focus on the treatment of adult patients. Like family medicine practitioners, they focus on the whole patient. They must be prepared to observe symptoms and diagnose illnesses affecting every part of the body.
Hospitalist: A hospitalist is a physician who treats hospitalized patients and assists in the education of medical students. Since hospitalists spend all or most of their time in inpatient facilities, they are much more accessible to hospital patients than doctors who practice from private offices or clinics.
Surgeon: A surgeon practices all phases of surgical medicine--from consulting with patients prior to surgery, to performing surgical procedures, to postoperative follow-up and care. A surgeon must be trained in many different areas besides the actual procedures, including emergency medicine, wound care, and immunology.
Cardiologist: Cardiologists deal with illnesses involving the heart and blood vessels--also referred to as the cardiovascular system. Some of the more common diseases that cardiologists treat are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, problems with the valves of the heart, and heart arrythmias.
Dermatologist: Dermatologists are physicians who treat disorders of the largest organ of the body: the skin. They treat skin cancers, inflammatory skin diseases, and infection skin disorders. Dermatologists also perform cosmetic procedures.
Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist specializes in a full range of treatments for vision problems and eye disorders. They address patients' vision care--from prescribing eyeglasses to performing delicate vision correction surgeries.
Pediatrician: Pediatricians are physicians specializing in the treatment of patients from birth to age 21. They are trained in child medicine, an entirely different practice from adult medicine. They focus not only on pediatric illnesses--but also on wellness, prevention, and the teaching of healthy lifestyles.
Psychiatrist: Psychiatric physicians are doctors who undergo training not only as medical doctors--but also in the treatment of mental illnesses. Unlike psychologists or mental health counselors, psychiatrists may prescribe medications in treating mental illness.