I Know I Want a Medical Career, but Which One?An Overview of Options.

The Big Three There are many, many different types of doctors, but most fall under three broad categories:

• Primary Care Physician

• Specialist• Surgeon

Today, we will look at a basic overview of what each of these different types of physicians do.

Primary Care Physicians:• Are also known as “General

Practitioners” or “Family Physicians.”

• Are seen the most often.

• Have a degree in family medicine.

• Most often work in outpatient clinics as family doctors, but can also be:– Hospitalists

– Urgent Care Providers

– Medical Directors

• Provide comprehensive care. (Treat a wide range of medical issues)

• Focus on the “whole patient.” (including mental and emotional needs)

• Build relationships with patients while providing treatment over long-periods of time.

• Focus on preventing illness as well as treating it.

• Coordinate care with other medical professionals. (Can refer people to specialists.)

Specialists• Go through intensive training in

their chosen specialty after medical school.

• Have their choice of dozens of specialties, including: – Cardiology

– Pediatrics

– Emergency Medicine

– Dermatology

– Neurologist

– Anesthesiologist

– General Surgery

– And Many More!

• Work in a variety of places, according to their specialty. – Women’s Care Clinics

– Pediatric Medical Practices

– Hospitals

• Often see patients who are referred by primary care physicians for specific conditions.

• Daily duties vary according to specialty.

• May choose to further their specialization, such as a neurologist who specializes in stroke patients.

• Surgeon is a specialty that has many different sub-specialties.

Surgeons• A surgeon is a specialist.

• There are many sub-specialties a surgeon can focus on: – cardiothoracic surgery

– general surgery

– neurosurgery

– oral and maxillofacial surgery

– colon & rectal surgery

– otolaryngology (ENT)

– pediatric surgery

– plastic surgery

– trauma and orthopaedic surgery

– urology

• A surgeon’s daily life will vary, depending on their chosen sub-specialty. Some may: – Be required to be on call

– Do emergency work

– Work at clinics

• Most will divide their time among:– Surgery

– Pre and post-op care

– Outpatient care

– Teaching

– Administrative duties

Broad Category Overview

Primary Care Internal Medicine and Pediatric Specialists Surgeon Other Medical

51.2

57.9 59

47.4

$60.48

$84.85

$92.10 $88.08

11 12 14 12

Mean Hours/Week Mean Hourly Pay Mean Years in Training

Data for this chart from http://uccs.ucdavis.edu/assets/event-assets/event-presentations/physician-wages-presentaion-1-13-2011 and from http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/education-careers/becoming-physician.page?

Just Scratching the Surface• These facts and figures you have

just seen are only the most bare-bones statistics.

• There are a wide range of healthcare career options, each with its own rewards and challenges.

• The chart on the previous slide is a rough representation. Hours worked per week, salary, and education requirements can vary greatly by specialty or sub-specialty.

Still not Sure Which Path is Right for You?

Please feel free to ask any questions you have at this point.