• Medical Doctor Job Description

    A medical doctor also known as a general practitioner is a person who is qualified and licensed to give medical treatments to people. A medical doctor may just be a physician, a surgeon or both. A physician is a doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases and injuries using methods other than surgery, while a surgeon is a medical doctor who performs surgery.

    A medical doctor should be quick-thinking, well organized, self-motivated and disciplined, and have the ability to work well under pressure and manage time efficiently to provide medical care in a timely, careful and effective manner. They should also be able to make good judgments and act in the best interest of their patients.

    Famous medical doctors include Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec (inventor of the stethoscope), Christiaan Barnard (first open heart transplant), Thomas Starzl (first liver transplant), Pierre Fauchard (father of dentistry), Sigmund Freud (founder of psychoanalysis), Henry Gray (creator of Gray's Anatomy), Marcello Jonas Salk (polio vaccine), and Gabriele Falloppio (Fallopian tube).

    Pursue a career in medicine if you have aptitude for science, passion for medicine and interest in helping and caring for others, especially the sick or injured. You should be a good listener who is selfless and very responsible, and can manage difficult situations.
  • What does a Medical Doctor do?

    Medical doctors may do some or all of the following:

    • carry out medical checkup to diagnose and treat diseases and other medical conditions
    • liaise with other medical doctors, nurses, medical technologists, physiotherapists, etc.
    • diagnose and treat medical conditions
    • decide whether surgical operations are needed to restore a patient’s health
    • perform and manage surgical operations
    • provide follow-up care for patients
    • teach medical students and trainee doctors
    • carry out research and write reports
  • Where does a Medical Doctor work?
  • Working Conditions

    Medical doctors may work long and irregular hours that include early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays, or be on call. They work in offices, clinics, hospitals, private practices and other healthcare establishments. Their working conditions may be rowdy and stressful when dealing with seriously injured patients.

  • What is Required to Become a Medical Doctor?

    To become a medical doctor, you will need to have a doctor of medicine degree and complete an internship program.

    Medical training involves both theoretical training and hands-on practice in hospitals or laboratories. Many medical college applicants are very academically outstanding, and this may lead to very intense competition for admissions into medical colleges. Medical training may be expensive.

  • Modules

    Just to give you an idea, some of the classes that you’ll be taking in college may include:

    • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    • Anesthesiology
    • Anatomy
    • Cell and Neurobiology
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency Medicine
    • Preventive Medicine
    • Family Medicine
    • Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
    • Neurological Surgery
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Orthopaedic Surgery
    • Otolaryngology
    • Pathology
    • Pediatrics
    • Physiology and Biophysics
    • Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences
    • Radiation Oncology
    • Radiology
    • Pharmacology
    • Surgery
    • Urology
  • Specializations

    A medical doctor may specialize to become any of the following:

    • Audiologist - a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing disorders
    • Allergist - a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating asthma and other allergic diseases
    • Andrologist - a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating men with reproductive health issues
    • Anesthesiologist - a medical doctor who practices anesthesia
    • Cardiologist – a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart diseases and disorders
    • Chiropodist – a medical doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of the feet
    • Dentist – a medical doctor who specializes in oral health
    • Dermatologist - a medical doctor who deals with the skin and diseases affecting the skin.
    • Endocrinologist - a medical doctor who deals with disorders of the endocrine glands
    • Epidemiologist – a medical doctor who studies the causes and transmission of diseases
    • Family Practician - a medical doctor who treats a broad range of primary health issues in patients of all ages
    • Gastroenterologist - a medical doctor who deals with the study and treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines and their associated organs
    • Gynecologist - a medical doctor who specializes in treating women
    • Hematologist – a medical doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of diseases of the blood
    • Hepatologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas
    • Immunologist – a medical doctor who specializes in the immune system
    • Infectious Disease Specialist - a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of infectious diseases
    • Internists - a medical doctor who specializes in treating disease affecting internal organs
    • Medical Geneticist - a medical doctor who specializes in the field of medical genetics
    • Neonatologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of new born babies
    • Nephrologist – a medical doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of diseases of the kidney
    • Neurologist – a medical doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of diseases and disorders of the nervous system
    • Neurosurgeon – a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the nervous system
    • Obstetrician - a medical doctor who specializes in pregnancy
    • Oncologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of cancer
    • Ophthalmologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of eye diseases and conditions
    • Orthopedic Surgeon - a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the bone
    • ENT Specialist - a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the Ear, Nose, and Throat
    • Perinatologist – a medical doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of mother and infant immediately prior to, during, and following childbirth
    • Paleopathologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the study of ancient disease processes
    • Parasitologist - a medical doctor who works in parasitology
    • Pathologist – a medical doctor who practice pathology
    • Pediatrician - a medical doctor who specializes in treating medical problems of infants, children and Adolescents
    • Physiologist - a medical doctor who specializes in physiology
    • Physiatrist - a medical doctor who specializes in physical medicine
    • Plastic Surgeon - a medical doctor who specializes in plastic surgery
    • Psychiatrist - a medical doctor who specializes in treating psychiatric disorders
    • Pulmonologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of diseases of the lungs
    • Radiologist – a medical doctor who specializes in radiology
    • Rheumatologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of rheumatic diseases
    • Surgeon – a medical doctor who specializes in surgery
    • Urologist - a medical doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of disorders of the urinary track in women and the urogenital system in men
  • Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

    Medical doctors need to have:

    • adaptability
    • empathy
    • resilience
    • self discipline
    • patience and perseverance
    • confidence and assertiveness
    • integrity and responsibility
    • good memory
    • good attention to detail
    • good hand-eye coordination
    • good listening and communication skills
    • good judgment and decision making skills
    • analytical and problem solving skills
    • interviewing skills
    • surgical skills
    • technical skills
    • the ability to maintain patients confidentiality
    • the ability to show respect for human life
    • the ability to maintain focus during delicate procedures
    • the ability to tolerate and be comfortable with issues relating to blood
    • the ability to handle a patient’s medical condition for the patient’s own benefit
    • the ability to advocate for patients and correct the injustice harming them
    • the ability to avoid evil and use medical knowledge only for good
    • the ability to work well under pressure
    • the ability to inspire confidence in others in critical situations
    • knowledge of human behavior
    • knowledge of biological and physical sciences
    • knowledge of anatomy and how the human body works
    • knowledge of different diseases and illnesses
    • knowledge of medicines and treatments
    • up-to-date knowledge of medical research methods
    • knowledge of medical ethics and law
    • knowledge of medical terminology

References

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Alternative Careers
  • Radiologist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Dentist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Psychologist
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