What degrees does physician have to have?

Educational Requirements

To become a physician, you need to complete several years of education and training. The specific requirements vary depending on the licensing laws of the state in which you plan to practice. However, most physicians must complete the following:

* Bachelor's degree: You must first earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. There is no specific major required, but most pre-medical students major in biology, chemistry, or a related field.

* Medical school: After completing your bachelor's degree, you must attend medical school. Medical school is a four-year program that provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to practice medicine.

* Residency: After graduating from medical school, you must complete a residency program. Residency is a period of supervised training that allows you to gain experience in a specific area of medicine, such as internal medicine, surgery, or pediatrics. Residency programs typically last for three to five years.

* Licensing: In order to practice medicine, you must be licensed by the state in which you plan to practice. To obtain a license, you must pass a national licensing exam and meet the other requirements of the state's licensing board.

Additional Education and Training

In addition to the educational requirements listed above, some physicians choose to pursue additional education and training. This may include:

* Fellowship: A fellowship is a period of advanced training in a specific subspecialty of medicine. Fellowships typically last for one to three years.

* Continuing medical education: Physicians are required to complete continuing medical education (CME) credits in order to maintain their license. CME credits can be earned by attending conferences, workshops, and other educational activities.

Personal Qualities

In addition to educational qualifications, physicians must also possess certain personal qualities, such as:

* Compassion: Physicians must be able to empathize with their patients and understand their needs.

* Communication skills: Physicians must be able to communicate effectively with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.

* Problem-solving skills: Physicians must be able to identify and solve medical problems quickly and effectively.

* Decision-making skills: Physicians must be able to make decisions quickly and confidently, often in situations where there is uncertainty.

* Leadership skills: Physicians must be able to lead their healthcare team and make decisions that are in the best interests of their patients.

Career Opportunities

Physicians have a wide range of career opportunities. They can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and government agencies. Physicians can also specialize in a variety of areas of medicine, such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry.

Salary

The median annual salary for physicians was $208,000 in 2018. The top 10% of physicians earned more than $313,000, while the bottom 10% earned less than $62,250.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for physicians is excellent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of physicians will grow by 13% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for healthcare services, as well as the aging population.