Jordan Ellis
Doctors are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients' medical conditions, illnesses, and diseases. They work in hospitals, for the NHS, in private sector hospitals, and in the armed forces. Doctors have different roles and responsibilities depending on their area of specialism, which can include geriatrics, paediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics, gynaecology, ophthalmology, and more. Doctors also work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including nurses, surgeons, therapists, and pharmacists, to provide patients with the best possible care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role | Doctors diagnose and treat patients, and manage their medical treatment. |
| Specialisations | Doctors have different roles and responsibilities based on their level of experience and their medical specialty. Some examples of specialisations include cardiology, neurology, infectious diseases, psychiatry, orthopaedics, and trauma. |
| Qualifications | Doctors need a bachelor's degree as well as a degree from a medical school, which takes 4-5 years to complete. They may also need 3 to 9 years of internship and residency programs. |
| Working Hours | Junior doctors' working hours should average up to 48 hours a week under the Working Time Directive, but they can work extra hours if they wish. |
| Salary | Junior doctors in the NHS earn a basic salary of around £28,000 in their initial foundation year, with additional pay for any work over 40 hours a week and at nights/weekends. |
| Skills | Doctors need excellent communication skills, problem-solving skills, leadership skills, and the ability to make effective decisions. |
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What You'll Learn
Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and diseases
Doctors are responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses and diseases. They assess and manage patient care, working to mitigate pain and suffering by providing medical treatment and healthcare. Doctors may work in hospitals or clinics, and their specific duties will depend on their area of specialism. For example, a cardiologist will perform tests such as chest x-rays and electrocardiograms to diagnose and treat heart conditions, while a psychiatrist will diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioural issues through medication.
In hospitals, doctors will often work alongside other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, surgeons, and allied health professionals, to provide treatment and care to patients. They will also communicate with non-medical management staff. Doctors in hospitals may also be involved in medical research or public policy, and they can work in academic hospitals associated with residency programs.
Doctors in hospitals have different roles and responsibilities based on their level of experience. For example, senior doctors will supervise residents, interns, and students, while residents are doctors in training for specialisation who look after patients on the ward. Interns are doctors who have completed their studies and are in their final year in the hospital, and student doctors are undergraduate medical students.
To become a doctor, one must complete a bachelor's degree, a degree from a medical school, and, depending on their speciality, 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs. In the UK, one must complete a five-year undergraduate medical education at an accredited medical school. Some medical schools offer an additional year for further study.
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They collaborate with other healthcare professionals
Doctors work with a variety of other healthcare professionals to provide patients with the best possible care. Senior doctors supervise residents, interns, and students, while residents, who are doctors in training for specialisation, are typically the doctors patients see most often. Interns, who have completed their studies, are finishing their final year in the hospital under the supervision of senior doctors. Student doctors are undergraduate medical students.
Doctors also work with nurses, who provide ongoing care, and allied health professionals, who help with diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. In addition, doctors collaborate with other physicians, surgeons, physician assistants, and technicians. They may also work with house officers and respond to requests for consultations in the emergency department.
Doctors with specialisations such as cardiology, neurology, obstetrics, and gynaecology work together to address specific patient needs. For example, neurologists may treat patients with Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or epilepsy, while cardiologists may perform chest X-rays, cardiac CTs, and prescribe medications. Infectious disease specialists may get involved in cases of severe infectious illnesses.
Doctors also work with support and administrative staff, who are essential to the day-to-day running of the hospital. This collaboration ensures that patients receive holistic care and that all their needs are met during their hospital stay.
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Doctors provide mental health support
Doctors in hospitals have different roles and responsibilities based on their level of experience and medical specialty. Senior-level doctors, for example, provide step-by-step support to patients experiencing depression and anxiety, from the initial diagnosis to medication initiation and follow-up care. They also collaborate with other medical professionals, such as physicians, surgeons, nurses, and technicians, in various settings like the ICU and ER.
In the case of pregnant or postpartum individuals, doctors can collaborate with patients and their obstetric care team to develop a postpartum care plan. This includes screening for postpartum depression and anxiety, providing resources, and addressing any pre-existing mental health concerns.
Doctors are trained to handle sensitive issues and will approach mental health support with professionalism and supportiveness. They can guide patients toward community resources and help them navigate mental health challenges, such as stigma, to ensure they receive the necessary treatment.
Overall, doctors in hospitals play a crucial role in providing mental health support, ensuring patients receive timely diagnoses, appropriate treatment, and ongoing care for their mental well-being.
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They perform operations and procedures
Doctors in hospitals are responsible for performing operations and procedures as part of their duty to diagnose, educate and treat patients to ensure they receive the best possible care. There are many kinds of doctors, each with specific expertise and responsibilities. Surgeons, for instance, use operative or manual instruments directly on or inside the human body, whereas psychiatrists diagnose and treat patients through medication for mental, emotional and behavioural issues.
Surgeons perform operations in an operating theatre, using surgical instruments, an operating table and other equipment. All surgical instruments must be sterilised, and staff must wear sterile attire, such as scrubs, a scrub cap, a sterile surgical gown, gloves and a mask. Common surgical procedures include dilation and curettage, skin grafts, hemorrhoidectomies, hysterectomies, hysteroscopies, breast biopsies, carotid endarterectomies, and cataract surgery.
Some operations are planned, while others are unplanned due to postoperative complications. Postoperative recovery can be an energy-requiring process, and complications may arise, such as postoperative cognitive dysfunction and postoperative depression. Patients are closely monitored in the post-anaesthesia care unit, and their general function, the outcome of the procedure, and the surgical site are assessed.
Doctors in hospitals work with other medical professionals, including nurses, physicians, physician assistants, and technicians. Senior doctors supervise residents, interns, and students, while residents are doctors in training for specialisation who look after patients on the ward.
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Doctors assess and manage patient care
The specific duties of doctors vary depending on their level of experience and specialty. Senior doctors often supervise junior doctors, interns, and medical students. They may also collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, surgeons, and technicians, to provide comprehensive patient care. Senior doctors are responsible for overseeing the work of their junior colleagues and ensuring that patients receive consistent and accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
Doctors are responsible for evaluating patients' medical histories, conducting physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and formulating treatment plans. They may prescribe medications, perform surgical procedures, or refer patients to specialists, depending on their expertise and the patient's needs.
In addition to clinical duties, doctors also play a crucial role in educating patients about their health conditions, providing counsel and guidance, and promoting health and wellness. They may also be involved in medical research, teaching, and contributing to the development of healthcare policies and programmes that improve patient care and outcomes.
The path to becoming a doctor typically involves obtaining a bachelor's degree, followed by a degree from a medical school, which usually takes an additional four to six years. After completing their medical education, doctors undergo residency and internship programs, which can last between three to nine years, depending on their chosen specialty. Subspecialization, such as fellowship training, may require an additional one to three years.
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Frequently asked questions
Doctors in hospitals diagnose and treat illnesses and diseases in patients admitted to the hospital. They also provide essential medical care, prescribe medication, perform surgeries, and offer preventative measures to help people maintain their health.
There are endless types of doctors with different specialisations. Some examples include:
- Dermatologist
- Cardiologist
- Hospitalist
- Immunologist
- Neurologist
- Obstetrician
Some common tasks include talking to, examining, and treating patients in hospital wards or outpatient clinics.
Physicians and surgeons typically need a bachelor's degree as well as a medical degree, which takes an additional 4-5 years to complete. They also need 3 to 9 years in internship and residency programs.
