Who is a physician? Why does he need to go through training? What specialties are required to work in a hospital or clinic? All these questions are frequently asked and searched.
Well, physicians are those who carry out medical procedures, diagnose a problem, find treatments, etc. Yes, they are considered as a medical practitioner or a doctor. Physicians are of two types. However, primary care is the daily healthcare rendered by doctors and physicians.
- Specialized Physicians – those who have specialized in surgery, pediatrics, or gynecology
- General Physicians – doctors who are primary care providers (they deal with ongoing and comprehensive health concerns)
Both types need to go through training. However, only those who want to specialize have to undergo specialties.
Without further ado, let’s learn about training and specialties in detail…
Training – For GP (General Physician) and SP (Specialized Physician)
Medical ethics is one of the most significant training for a physician. What it is and how it is carried out by the professionals? Well, these two questions are explained in this section.
Training & Medical Ethics
Physicians undergo drills and exercises around how to do the following procedures.
- How to diagnose a medical condition?
- After diagnosis, what are the best possible solutions in the form of treatment?
- Once treatment is done, how can the disease or medical condition manage?
- Last and at times the first thing to do – what are some preventive measures to combat diseases or conditions in the start (or after getting treated for no relapse)?
Interestingly, all the answers are understood by practicing. Mainly because medicine and treatments are not only restricted to the bookish knowledge. A physician has to go through rigorous practices before taking OPD or IPD patients.
At the start of practicing, an oath is taken by the physicians. That states “benefitting the sick” & “to mean or do no harm”. It clearly signifies the importance of the profession, physicians.
Other than that, physicians are also trained to learn “best practices” under excellent conduct. To ensure training are well inculcated in practices, certain measures are taken. Reviews by the peer doctors come in the common training sessions.
In the process of training, physicians also get the learn how to do the following areas.
- Able to learn better and easy ways to communicate
- Bring awareness of the disease if needed
- Enforce decision-making skills so that patients remain dominating throughout the medical procedures
Besides all these traits and formalities, physicians need to go through CME training. These training are particularly helpful in “continuing health education”
Expertise & Physicians’ Credibility
Physicians are meant to diagnose as well as treat illnesses and injuries. While performing their responsibilities, they execute several other duties. Some of them are listed below.
- Record medical history
- Perform and interpret results of bodywork or diagnostic tests
- Examine physically
- Suggest medicines
- Counsel patients about wellness and general health
- Guide how to take preventive measures after or before treatment
Brief Explanation of Expertise Required
Under health care, various procedures are carried out. These processes are categorized under primary care and are catered by highly trained physicians. Let’s learn a bit about each type.
Medications
Physicians are required to prescribe medicines to the patients. It is a common practice by physicians. Besides pharmaceutical drugs, physicians also OTC (over-the-counter) drugs from the medical drugstore. Other than OTC and pharmaceutical drugs, physicians are also eligible to recommend dietary supplements.
Imaging Studies
An indirect look at the body through a specific procedure is also included in the areas of expertise. Most common image studies reflect on the following areas.
- Radiography
- MRI
- Nuclear medicine
- Ultrasound
- Tomography
Physical Examination
A physician is asked to take a physical exam of a body under the following aspects. It is so that the diagnosis is clear. However, medical history is the initial step before going on to the body for a check-up.
- Palpation – to find out the condition of an organ, finger, or hand is used with pressure
- Percussion – tapping on a specific part of the body to know consistency, size, and borders
- Inspection – only naked eyes are used
- Auscultation – a stethoscope is utilized
Otoscopic examination, reading of blood pressure, ophthalmoscopic exam, and reflex tests are some other types of physical examinations.
Treatment
Physicians’ expertise and experience determine the selection of the right treatment. Primary care in the paramedic needs, guidelines for the physician to follow, limitations while treating a patient, and preferences of the patient are also based on the expertise of physicians. At times when treatment is beyond the scope of a physician, patients are referred to another doctor.
Endoscopy
To view structures of the body insides, endoscopy is carried out. Physicians are required to have expertise along with professional training to perform endoscopy. The main purpose of endoscopy is to draw a conclusion on the diagnosis. Other than that, tumors, lesions, and polyps are helped through endoscopy. Examples of endoscopy are mentioned below.
- Colonoscopy
- Laparoscopy
- Arthroscopy
- Colposcopy
- Gastroscopy
- Bronchoscopy
Why Physicians Need Expertise and Training in Health Care Unit?
It takes years to become a doctor. Physicians invest years to receive training and gain experience. Without training or completing house-job, physicians are not given chance to perform duties.
Once the training period is over, doctors seek experience in a particular field. It is to give the best suggestions, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Likewise, without training, one may earn a degree but will not be able to practice the best way.
After working 60 to 80 hours a week, it becomes daunting for the physician to take care of patients. But if they are trained well and have experience in dealing with patients, it isn’t much of a hassle.
Highly trained physicians cater primary care. If in case patients are not able to find hospital nearby, then researching “primary care near me” will give an ample of choices.