Médicos y cirujanos

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Related roles: Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Medicine, Physician-Surgeon, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Surgeon-Physician, Medical Practitioner, Specialist Physician, Attending Physician, Consultant Physician, Medical Specialist

Focos de atención

Títulos similares

Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Medicine, Physician-Surgeon, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Surgeon-Physician, Medical Practitioner, Specialist Physician, Attending Physician, Consultant Physician, Medical Specialist

Descripción del trabajo

Commonly just called doctors, Physicians and Surgeons are crucial, highly-trained specialists who diagnose, treat, and often try to prevent our medical problems. Generally speaking, Physicians perform either routine or specific exams on patients, depending on why the patient came in for a visit. Physicians closely review their patients’ medical records to screen for previously diagnosed issues as they try to determine potential causes for new complaints. 

They look for telltale signs and symptoms and may order blood work, biopsies, or diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or CT scans. Once they have sufficient information, they can render a diagnosis and, if needed, prescribe medications. Physicians typically provide patients with a course of at-home treatment or some preventive care tips. Patients often need to book follow-up appointments so their Physicians can check in and assess how well the treatment is working or if changes need to be made. 

In certain cases, a Physician will refer a patient to a Surgeon who can further assess a particular problem, such as an injury or serious disease. The Surgeon may determine that the patient requires a surgical operation to help address the issue. If so, the Surgeon can schedule and perform the necessary surgery alongside other members of their team.

Aspectos gratificantes de la carrera
  • Improving patient health, life span, and quality of life
  • Excellent pay and benefits with strong long-term job outlooks
  • Numerous specialization opportunities
$207,999
2021 Empleo
761,700
2031 Empleo proyectado
783,100
La primicia
Responsabilidades del trabajo

Horario de trabajo

Physicians and Surgeons work full-time and often overtime. For ER doctors or those on call, shifts may include nights, weekends, or holidays.

Tareas típicas

  • Review patient medical records and ask questions 
  • Perform routine or specific physical exams to gather information 
  • Answer patient questions and respond to concerns
  • Input findings into medical software to update patient charts
  • Consult medical reference materials 
  • Order blood work or diagnostic imaging
  • Review test results 
  • Make an initial diagnosis of illness or injury when possible
  • Suggest a feasible course of treatment
  • Offer tips for preventative healthcare 
  • Discuss treatment options with family members, when necessary
  • Provide or order direct treatment (such as vaccines or setting a cast for a broken bone)
  • Refer to other healthcare provides, as needed
  • Write medication prescriptions
  • Order follow-up appointments 
  • For Surgeons, perform specialized evaluations and surgical procedures
  • Discuss postoperative care plans

Responsabilidades adicionales

  • Create or participate in public awareness campaigns 
  • Keep up with newly-approved medicines and pharmaceutical developments related to one’s field 
  • Stay up-to-date on new treatment methods and technological advancements
  • Work as part of a patient’s larger healthcare team
  • Assist with training new Physicians and Surgeons, as well as assistants and other immediate team members
Different Types of Specializations

There are several areas of specialization for Physicians and Surgeons, including:

  • Allergists and Immunologists
  • Anesthesiologists
  • Cardiologists
  • Dermatologists
  • Emergency Medicine Physicians
  • General Internal Medicine Physicians
  • Hospitalists
  • Neurologists, Obstetricians, and Gynecologists
  • Ophthalmologists
  • Orthopedic Surgeons
  • Pathologists
  • Pediatricians
  • Pediatric Surgeons
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
  • Preventive Medicine Physicians
  • Psychiatrists
  • Radiologists
  • Sports Medicine Physicians
  • Urologists
Habilidades necesarias en el trabajo

Habilidades blandas

  • Trato en la cama
  • Business acumen and marketing skills (for those in private practice)
  • Compasión
  • Compostura
  • Fiabilidad
  • Orientado al detalle
  • Destreza
  • Diligencia
  • Coordinación óculo-manual
  • Integridad 
  • Metódico 
  • Observador
  • Paciente
  • Resolución de problemas
  • Creación de relaciones
  • Seguridad 
  • Buen juicio 
  • Resistencia
  • Gran capacidad de comunicación
  • Enseñanza
  • Gestión del tiempo 

Habilidades técnicas

  • Deep knowledge of human biology and physiology
  • Familiarity with roles of other medical professionals 
  • Knowledge of medical illnesses and injuries, and their signs and symptoms
  • Knowledge of medical instruments, equipment, and methodologies
  • Knowledge of personal protective equipment plus hygiene and sterilization practices
  • Specialized skills related to one’s area of practice
  • Use of medical records software
Diferentes tipos de organizaciones
  • Government and military 
  • Hospitales y clínicas
  • Centros de atención ambulatoria
  • Physicians offices
Expectativas y sacrificios

Patients literally trust Physicians and Surgeons with their lives or the lives of their loved ones. The job responsibilities and expectations are enormous, which is why people in this field must stay on top of their game at all times. That includes giving their all while at work and keeping up with new medical developments. While the pay is great, it’s well-earned by putting in long hours. 

Physicians and Surgeons are not immune to human error, but there’s obviously pressure to avoid mistakes at all costs. They may overlook or inadvertently downplay a sign of a particular illness or injury, which can end up having a major impact on a patient’s health. In some cases, there could be an incorrect diagnosis or a problem while performing an operation. Because of these risks, Physicians and Surgeons pay thousands of dollars a year in medical malpractice insurance premiums in case they get sued. In fact, according to Medscape's Family Physician Malpractice Report, almost half of all family practice doctors have been named in a malpractice suit at some point. 

Tendencias actuales

There are so many trends in medicine, there’s a peer-reviewed journal called Trends in Medicine and an independent website Trends-in-Medicine, too! While we can barely scratch the surface here, a few things making a difference in the healthcare industry include the expansion of telehealth for virtual care, the integration of various medical technologies using electronic records, the “Medical Internet of Things,” artificial intelligence, and remote monitoring via wearable patient devices. While tech is transforming the world of medicine, patients are seeking increased participation in their own healthcare via data capturing, apps, and tailored preventative measures. 

¿Qué tipo de cosas disfrutaba la gente de esta carrera cuando era más joven...

Physicians and Surgeons may have always had some interest in biology and medicine or could have discovered it later in life. They often displayed high levels of confidence and competence at an early age, may have enjoyed reading complex materials, and demonstrated compassion for others’ well-being. Future surgeons may have stood out in their younger years for having strong nerves and steady hands! 

Educación y formación necesarias

Educación necesaria

  • Though we often refer to Physicians and Surgeons as simply “doctors,” the term doctor can technically apply to anyone holding a doctorate-level degree, including non-medical majors
    • In other words, all Physicians and Surgeons are doctors, but not all doctors are Physicians and Surgeons!
  • Physicians and Surgeons must complete extensive education and training requirements, starting with a bachelor’s then working towards their Medical Doctor (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) at a medical school program
  • Bachelor degree majors vary, but nearly half of students major in biology to help meet med school prerequisites and to have a more competitive application
    • Common undergrad courses may include anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, biology, biology labs, calculus, genetics, and organic chemistry

Medical School

  • Many medical schools feature combined undergraduate and medical programs which can make the educational route smoother
  • Students should also expect multi-year internships and post-graduate residencies, with sub-specializations fellowships requiring 1-3 years of further training
  • Med school hopefuls must take and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and submit results along with their program applications
    • Notoriously challenging, the MCAT is a critical element of a successful application. The test is multiple-choice and designed to assess “problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine”
  • Med school applications consider undergraduate coursework, GPA, MCAT scores, personality and leadership, and extracurricular activities involvement. There’s also usually a formal interview
  • Med school programs are broken into two main phases—the first features academics, labs, classroom activities, plus some practical skills development. The second involves consulting with patients at clinics and hospitals under supervised conditions

Residencies

  • After graduation, learners will complete residency programs at a clinic or hospital, to develop deeper knowledge and experience in their specialty. Residencies may last from 3-9 years

Fellowships

Licensure and Board Certification

Cosas que hay que buscar en una universidad
  • Medical schools are tough to get into, so you need to be very well-prepared! That includes knocking out your bachelor’s in a relevant major while maintaining a strong GPA
  • Look for undergrad programs that are accredited and feature the rigorous foundational coursework you’ll need to succeed at med school
  • Review faculty bios and awards; see what types of facilities and modern equipment the program utilizes; check out their research and their internship partners; learn about graduation rates and job placement stats; and peek at the accomplishments of the alumni network!
  • Otras consideraciones generales son el coste de la matrícula (tarifas dentro y fuera del estado), los descuentos, las becas y las opciones de impartición del curso (programa en el campus, en línea o híbrido).
Cosas que hacer en el instituto y la universidad
  • Participate in school activities where you can hone your soft skills and gain leadership experience 
  • Take college prep classes in high school, including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, math, physics, calculus, statistics, English composition, psychology, and communications. Study hard to earn good grades so you can get accepted into a suitable undergrad program
  • Choose your undergraduate major wisely. The most common for Physicians and Surgeons is biology, but some students major in medicine, physical science, or other fields
  • Plan far ahead by looking at those med school requirements early on! Find out about internships, residencies, and fellowships
    • The key is ensuring you have a solid foundation for medical school with all prerequisites completed
  • Think hard about the format you want to take classes in. Some classes may be fine for online study, but others will need to be done in-person or hybrid
  • Apply for pre-med jobs like home health aide, medical scribe, phlebotomist, or certified nursing assistant
  • Join medical student organizations to make friends, learn from each other, and stay motivated for the long journey! Popular options include:
  • Mantén una lista de contactos (incluyendo números de teléfono o correos electrónicos) que puedan servir como futuras referencias laborales. 
  • Read or watch interviews with different types of doctors to learn about their various daily duties
  • Check out medical journal articles and video tutorials about Physician and Surgeon specialities and subspecialties
  • Consider if you want to work in research positions or with patients 
  • Keep a working draft your resume and CV
  • Infórmese sobre los requisitos específicos para obtener la licencia en el estado en el que piensa trabajar
  • Stay out of trouble so you can pass a criminal background check if required for licensure in your state
  • Develop a workout schedule so you can stay in shape and manage stress
  • Practice your interview skills before applying to medical school
  • Study hard for the MCAT with prep books and online prep courses and materials
Hoja de ruta típica
Physician Gladeo Roadmap
Cómo conseguir tu primer trabajo
  • What is considered a doctor’s “first” job? Medical residents receive a salary, but fully qualified Physicians and Surgeons earn far more. Still, a resident is a working student with an employment contract and job description, so in a way it is like your first job as a doctor! 
  • In terms of getting a job once you’re fully qualified (i.e., all residencies, fellowships, etc. are done), competition in the job market is relatively low. That’s because it is so hard to get through all the education and training
    • Note: the dropout rate for med school students is between 15.7 to 18.4%
  • Review job portals such as Indeed, Glassdoor, healthcare job search sites, and career pages for clinics or hospitals you’d like to work at
  • Advertise yourself on LinkedIn 
  • Keep your social media professional. Potential employers may research candidates online
  • Stay involved with professional organizations. Attend events, be a guest speaker, and network with peers!
  • Check out Physician resumes or Surgeon resumes for ideas on formatting and phrasing
  • Talk with working Physicians or Surgeons to learn about the types of interview questions to expect
  • Do several mock interviews for practice your responses
  • Vestir de forma profesional para las entrevistas
Cómo subir la escalera
  • Talk with your medical supervisor and let them know your long-term career goals. Ask for their advice on how to move up
  • Get board certified in a subspeciality 
  • Master your duties and bedside manner, follow all hygiene protocols, and stay up-to-date on relevant hospital or clinic policies and procedures 
  • Do your best to provide exemplary service to your patients. Earn their trust—and their positive reviews!
  • Consider opening a private practice
  • Study manufacturer and software guides for equipment and programs you use frequently
  • Never stop learning about your field of expertise. Study journals, attend conferences, and take extra classes, if needed
  • Demonstrate top-notch leadership capabilities and patiently train and mentor younger professionals 
  • Live up to your medical oath or promise 
  • Stay constantly engaged with professional organizations to build upon industry connections
  • Attend events, give speeches, hold committees posts, get published, and actively work to advance your reputation
Herramientas/recursos recomendados

Páginas web

Medical Journals

Libros

Plan B

It’s a long, arduous road to becoming either a Physician or Surgeon, but the rewards can be great for those who make it over the finish line. Not everyone interested in a medical career wants to take that journey, though, and that’s okay! There are dozens of exciting healthcare careers to explore. Below are just a few of the most popular ones to consider: 

  • Chiropractors
  • Dentistas
  • Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
  • Optometrists
  • Physician Assistants
  • Podiatrists
  • Enfermeras tituladas
  • Veterinarios

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