Physician

Physicians care for healthy people and for those who are ill or injured. They perform physical examinations and diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, and other disorders. They prescribe and administer medications and treatments, provide immunization services, care for pregnant women and deliver babies, perform surgery, and conduct research to aid in disease control or the development of new treatments. Managed care and health maintenance organizations are creating an increased demand for primary care physicians who provide most health care needs for their patients and refer them to other specialists as needed. Primary care physicians may manage patient care and coordinate and direct the health care team.

Work Environment
Physicians may work long and erratic hours responding to emergencies and the intensive care needs of their patients. They may practice independently or in group practices, or work in hospitals, public health agencies, health provider organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions. In addition to providing patient care, many physicians are involved in research, teaching, and administration.

Job Outlook
The demand for physician services will continue to increase in the future, especially in rural areas where many physicians are nearing retirement age. Primary care physicians are increasingly in demand under current health care delivery systems.

Length of Training/
Requirements
Physicians must train for 11 or more years after high school before they are qualified to practice medicine. Individuals may apply for medical school after three years of college. Applicants also must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Since admission to medical school is highly competitive, with more applicants than there are class positions, interested students should have high grade-point averages and high MCAT scores. Individuals considering medicine should begin preparing in high school by taking a wide range of science, math, and liberal arts courses. Medical school consists of two years of basic medical science study (anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, ethics, and law During the last two years of medical school, students apply their classroom knowledge to the art of patient care. They rotate through medical specialties and may take electives in areas of special interest.

Salary
Salary depends on specialty, geography, and job setting. General salaries range from $120,000 - $250,000+.

Educational Programs
Baylor College of Medicine
Texas A&M University Health Science Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
University of North Texas

Professional Associations
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
550 Friendship Blvd., Ste. 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

American Medical Association
515 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312/464-4635