What does a Medical Doctor do?
Published 3 min read
A medical doctor is a health care professional who diagnoses and treats patients with illnesses and injuries.
Medical Doctor job duties include:
- Diagnose patients’ illnesses and prescribe appropriate treatments
- Examine patients and take their medical histories
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests such as X-rays, blood tests, and MRIs
- Counsel patients on diet, exercise, and hygiene to promote good health
- Advise patients and their families on health maintenance and disease prevention
- Operate on patients to correct deformities, repair injuries, or remove diseased organs
- Prescribe medication to treat patients’ conditions
- Monitor patients’ progress and adjust treatments as needed
- Keep abreast of the latest medical technologies and treatments
Medical Doctor Job Requirements
A medical doctor must have a degree from an accredited medical school and must pass a licensing exam. In addition, a medical doctor must complete a residency program and may need to obtain additional certification in order to practice in their desired field.
Medical Doctor Skills
- Analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Detail oriented
- Empathy
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills
- Organizational skills
- Patience
- Problem solving skills
- Research skills
- Writing skills
Related: Top Medical Doctor Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Medical Doctor
There are many steps to becoming a medical doctor, but perhaps the most important is completing a rigorous and challenging medical school education. After completing high school or earning a GED, students must complete a 4-year undergraduate degree at a college or university. During their undergraduate years, students must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and score well in order to be accepted into medical school.
Once in medical school, students will spend the first two years taking classes such as human anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology. They will also begin to see patients during their clinical rotations. The last two years of medical school are spent completing more clinical rotations in various specialties such as surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. Upon completion of medical school, graduates earn their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and must then complete a 3- to 7-year residency program in their chosen specialty.
After completing their residency training, doctors may choose to become board certified in their specialty by taking an exam administered by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Once certified, doctors can open their own private practice or join an existing group practice. They may also choose to work for a hospital or other healthcare organization. Regardless of where they work, doctors must stay up-to-date on the latest medical advancements and treatments by reading scientific journals and attending conferences.
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