Anyone that earns a doctorate can be termed a doctor, but in modern usage, the term “doctor” usually refers to medical practitioners such as surgeons and physicians. Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, and other health disorders. Becoming a doctor typically requires a 4-year college degree, completion of a 4-year medical program, and a few years of residency training or internships. Doctors are among the highest-paid workers in the country.
Job Description
Doctors manage, diagnose, and provide treatments to help patients manage diseases in the vascular system, breast, neck and head, skin and soft tissues, endocrine system, digestive tract, and abdomen. They are also trained to provide surgery and cope with trauma to cancer patients. They frequently work in teams to examine the patient’s history, use diagnostic tools such as tests and x-rays, manage health conditions, provide patient consultation, and use surgical tools to treat patients.
Being patient, compassionate, and empathetic is vital as patients can be concerned about their health conditions and surgeries needed. Unpredictability and long hours are typical since patients may require emergency care that requires on-call doctors to handle issues by phone or to come to work. Having dexterity, good physical stamina, and problem-solving skills help deal with the challenges of this occupation.
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Education Requirements
As medical specialists, doctors complete several years of education, board certification, and residency, to practice in the field. They generally first complete a bachelor’s degree program with pre-medical classes, such as physiology, anatomy, chemistry, and biology. They will need to prepare for and pass the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) to be eligible for medical school to earn an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree. Their medical college program will include clinical rotations and coursework. After completing medical college, they must complete certification in general surgery from the American Board of Surgery and a residency in general surgery to get a medical license.
The average annual pay for doctors reported in May 2019 is $252,040, or an average hourly pay of $121.59. The bottom ten percent of surgeons make $104,680 or less, while the top fifty percent make $208,000 or excess. The compensation varies by job setting. For instance, surgeons employed in physicians’ offices average $262,060, while those employed in surgical and general hospitals average $219,840.
Industry
Doctors can find employment in outpatient care centers, physicians’ offices, specialists’ offices, and hospitals. Apart from being on call to handle emergencies, it is common to work fifty-to-sixty-hours per week in this sector and have irregular and overnight hours. As a result, doctors with families may need to obtain in-home care for their children to provide supervision during prolonged work hours. Those who work in their own individual practices have the best flexibility for work hours since they can choose their working hours. Positions at veterans’ hospitals and group practices and may also offer fewer hours than surgical and general hospital jobs.
How much do doctors make
Doctors begin their careers with a high income due to their lengthy education and specialized training. How much surgeons earn can vary based on their reputation in the field and experience. Doctors can also move to regions with more demand and better salaries to maximize their earning capability. As of June 2020, a doctor can earn the following based on experience:
- Entry level: $102,045 – $355,198
- Experienced: $128,803 – $399,609
- Late career: $148,349 – $405,853
Careers in Europe: An entry-level Physician / Doctor, General Practice with less than one year experience can expect to make an average total compensation (includes bonus, tips, and overtime pay) of £40,000. An early career Physician / Doctor, General Practice with 1-5 years of experience, makes an average total compensation of £44,042. A mid-career Physician / Doctor, General Practice with 5-10 years of experience, makes an average total remuneration of £53,310. An experienced Physician / Doctor, General Practice with 10-20 years of experience makes an average total compensation of £67,399. In their late-career (20 years and higher), employees make an average total salary of £80,376.
Careers in Asia: An early career Family Physician / Doctor with 1-5 years of experience makes an average total remuneration (includes bonus, tips, and overtime pay) of S$78,073 (Singapore). A mid-career Family Physician / Doctor with 5-10 years of experience makes an average total remuneration of S$99,980. An experienced Family Physician / Doctor with 10-20 years of experience makes an average total remuneration of S$160,486.
Job Growth Trend
Excellent career opportunities are estimated for doctors with a projected growth of fourteen percent between 2016 and 2026. This is quicker than average for professions and is partly due to the elderly population needing treatments for chronic diseases. Doctors who are interested in working in areas with a lower income (1) or more rural areas may find more opportunities for positions. Being familiar with the latest technologies for therapy and testing is also beneficial.
