All About Being a Doctor
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation report, there are currently over 900,000 doctors practicing medicine in the US. Yet, there is still a critical need for more doctors in the US. Experts predict a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians within 12 years, according to The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections From 2019 to 2034.
“Because it can take up to a decade to properly educate and train a physician, we need to take action now to ensure we have enough physicians to meet the needs of tomorrow,” AMA President Gerald E. Harmon, MD, said in an April 2022 statement. “The health of our nation depends on it.”
Medicine is one of the most challenging yet rewarding fields a student can enter. And before you decide whether becoming a doctor is right for you, you must know every step you'll have to take along the way.
What Does a Doctor Do?
A doctor is certified to practice medicine to help maintain or restore physical and mental health. A doctor interacts with patients, diagnoses medical problems, and successfully treats illnesses or injuries. But specific duties vary depending on the area of medicine you intend to practice.
A few of doctors’ duties include gathering patient symptoms, performing diagnostics to determine the root problem, reading and interpreting laboratory results, prescribing medication, ordering and performing procedures as needed, providing follow-up care, and staying up-to-date on emergency medical technology.
In 2019, the most in-demand doctors were family physicians, internists, emergency physicians, psychiatrists, obstetricians and gynecologists, neurologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, and cardiologists.
Most doctors (approximately half) work primarily in hospitals where they practice their specialized segment of medicine. The most common clinical specialization is a general practitioner. These doctors treat patients of all ages for different illnesses or injuries.
Some other standard medical practices taking place in clinics or doctors' offices include psychiatry, nephrology, OB/GYN, pulmonology, orthodontics, surgery, clinical care, ophthalmology, oncology, urology, dermatology, gastroenterology, cardiology, orthopedics, podiatry, pediatrics, endocrinology, neurology, rheumatology, and immunology.
Doctors work closely with physician assistants, nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, and other health professionals to ensure the best possible care for their patients.
Doctor Salary
The average doctor's salary can be an important consideration when deciding what field you want to specialize in or whether you want to pursue a medical degree. And there are many factors to weigh when considering specialties.
According to the 2021 Medscape Physician Compensation Report, primary care physicians in the US earned an average of $260,000 annually, while specialists earned $368,000.
Anesthesiologists (4% job growth rate), obstetricians and gynecologists (0% job growth rate), psychiatrists (13% job growth rate), surgeons (-1% job growth rate), and internists, general doctors (2% job growth rate) all saw median salaries of less than or equal to $208,000.
On the other hand, family medicine doctors (6% growth rate), physicians (4% job growth rate), and pediatricians (-2% growth rate) all saw a median salary of $207,380, $200,890, and $177,130, respectively.
What is the Process of Becoming a Doctor?
Over 11 years will pass before earning your doctor's license. First, you have four years to prepare your brain for intense education in medical school. But you don’t have to be a science major to be a “pre-med” student, as long as you take the required classes.
Medical School- 4 years
The first year of medical school primarily concentrates on learning basic human physiology, histology, anatomy, and biochemistry. Some schools still require students to participate in a full day of lectures, while others have online learning or education based on small groups.
All students will take classes in basic sciences, including anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, and pharmacology. They also learn the basics of interviewing and examining a patient.
Residency- 3+ years
During the first year of your residency, you are considered an intern. For the rest of the years, (up to 6 additional years), you are referred to as “the resident.”
Your residency training in the hospital is for your specialty. You passed all the tests and earned your license to become a doctor; therefore, you must complete more hands-on training before officially becoming autonomous and taking responsibility for the patient.
Fellowship- 1 or 2 years
After completing residency, you receive a Ph.D. in recognition of your achievements and promises as a researcher and scholar. You are now a doctor and can choose to begin your practice. Doctors who look to expand their education and skills will become “Fellow” and get additional training in a sub-specialty.
Best Medical Schools in the US
US News ranked the following universities as the 2023 best medical schools for research in the country:
#1 - Harvard University
#2 - New York University
#3 (tie) - Columbia University
#3 (tie) - Johns Hopkins University
#3 (tie) - University of California- San Francisco
#6 (tie) - Duke University
#6 (tie) - University of Pennsylvania
#8 - Stanford University
#9 - University of Washington
#10 - Yale University
#11 (tie) - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
#11 (tie) - Washington University in St. Louis
#13 - Vanderbilt University
#14 - Cornell University (Weill)
#14 (tie) - Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix)
#14 (tie) - University of Pittsburgh
#17 (tie) - Northwestern University (Feinberg
#17 (tie) - University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
#19 - University of California- Los Angeles (Geffen)
#20 (tie) - University of California- San Diego
#20 (tie) - University of Chicago (Pritzker)
