Physician

Physicians serve a fundamental role in our society and have an effect upon all our lives. They diagnose illnesses, prescribe, and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease. Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. It takes many years of education and training to become a physician: 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years …

…with experience and a growing number of patients. Prospective physicians must be willing to study throughout their career to keep up with medical advances. To advance in a medical field, you need to keep going to college every now and then to learn about new medicines and their effects. They also will need to be flexible to respond to the changing demands of a rapidly evolving health care environment. Some may move into hospital administration.