The Profession
Who They Are
Physicians work with patients to maintain or restore their health. They promote disease prevention, diagnose illness or injury, and prescribe treatments including medication, surgery, physical therapy, and others.
What They Do
Physicians do many things in their day-to-day practice, including: examining patients, obtaining medical histories, and ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive health care. Some physicians are clinical researchers and spend time in patient-oriented research.
Where They Work
Many physicians work in hospitals and clinics. Others work in private practices, academia, government, or research in the public or private sector.
Outlook
There is a growing need for physicians. By 2028, the number of physicians is expected to increase by 7%, which is faster than the national average. This increase is expected due to the aging population in our country. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Primary vs Specialty Care
Students don't need to know what specialty they want to pursue before applying to med school, but it's good to research or shadow a couple of different types of physicians to refine your interest area. The AAMC has useful tools for finding your fit, and exploring specialties. While primary care physicians are the most common type of doctor in the U.S. medical system, specialists like surgeons often have greater earning potential.