Medical school is challenging, exciting and dynamic. Countless new discoveries are making their impact on medical practice. With the development of many new therapies involving not only drugs but also treatments arising from research in electronics, nuclear physics, genetics and molecular biology, qualified doctors will see even more dramatic changes in the future.

A career in medicine offers opportunities to provide a service to the public through the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, diseases and infections. Doctors are also increasingly expected to provide social support to their patients. Doctors are able to choose which area of medicine they practice in once they've completed a few years of higher education through medical school. This should suit their own personal aptitudes (for example, community based doctors such as general practitioners have daily face to face contact with patients, while other doctors concentrate on advancing medicine by undertaking scientific research). The skills and attributes that are considered the core qualities of a good doctor are competence, integrity, spirit of inquiry, confidentially, responsibility, caring, advocacy, compassion, and commitment.

There are a number of specialty career paths in medicine with over 50 career options available; a doctor is assured of finding a suitable career. These options include becoming a surgeon, general practitioner, a geneticist, a psychiatrist, a medical lecturer at medical school, a medical researcher or a public health physician to name a few.

Medicine is a rewarding career; however, being a doctor involves a lifetime of learning, both formally and informally. Doctors are required to update their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. In terms of the training period, it can take as much as 12 years to progress within structured training from studying medicine at undergraduate level through medical school, to GP status.

After graduation from medical school, doctors undertake an internship. In simple terms, this means that you learn more about medical practice on the job while actually practicing it within your level of competency, knowledge and skills. This is usually in the hospital or community setting.

While working conditions for doctors in general are improving and their hours have been reduced, it should be recognized that doctors as professional people do work relatively long hours and will be expected to be on-call at times.


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