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Who is a Doctor?
The best doctor is the one you run to and can't find ~ Denis Diderot
A doctor is a medical professional who examines, diagnoses, and helps to prevent illnesses and injuries. The individual also plays a crucial role in maintaining public health. Each doctor specialises in fields such as surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, or psychiatry. It takes years of rigorous education at medical school and hands-on clinical training to become a doctor.
Apart from this, doctors also focus on the overall well-being of the patients and contribute towards improving lives through health awareness, preventive care, and medical advancements.
Doctor in a Nutshell
Doctors are medical professionals who diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses to ensure a patient’s well-being. Examination of patients, prescription of medicines, creation of treatment plans, and education of individuals about health and disease prevention.
Quick Facts for Doctor
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Industry
Healthcare
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Average Salary in India
₹54000
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Suitable for
Male, Female
Individuals of any gender can become doctors. What is important is a strong commitment to healthcare, communication skills and compassion. The capability to understand, identify and diagnose patients’ health problems is a must.
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Any special needs
Yes
The role of a doctor is such that it is physically as well as mentally demanding. Doctors often have to stand for long hours, especially during surgeries and clinical examinations. Individuals need to have a strong eye for detail. If the special ability does not hinder the work requirements, only then should an individual with special needs aim for this career.
Table of Contents for Doctor
What is the role of Doctor?
Doctors are essential to the preservation and advancement of human health. They provide patients with preventive care, administer medications, and diagnose ailments. In addition to their medical knowledge, doctors educate and assist patients emotionally, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their health. They work together with medical teams, participating in research and keeping up with the latest developments in medicine.
A trustworthy patient-doctor relationship is fostered by their dedication to ethical standards, empathy, and ongoing learning, which promotes general well-being and the advancement of medical science. A career as a doctor is quite challenging as well, with several work attributes coming into the picture daily, some of which are given below.
A doctor is responsible for diagnosing, examining, and identifying disorders, diseases, illnesses, and injuries of patients
The role involves prescribing adequate medicine dosage and therapies to patients.
He or she advises patients on dietary and lifestyle changes for early recovery and is responsible for checking on patients for their progress.
A doctor is responsible for assisting other medical professionals in complex cases depending on their area of specialisation.
The role of a doctor is to perform surgeries on patients with various disorders, diseases, and injuries.
Types of a Doctor
There are numerous types of a doctor possessing specialisation in a certain specific organ. Apart from a general physician, aspiring candidates can also opt post-graduation programme in a certain speciality to opt for specialised doctors with the following mentioned job roles below.
Optometrist: An optometrist is a physician who specialises in the treatment of eyes. He or she is responsible for diagnosing eyes and detecting problems that affect vision. It may include signs of injury, ocular diseases, abnormality, and other problems with general health. An optometrist prescribes corrective lenses and provides medicinal and therapeutic treatment.
ENT Specialist: An ENT specialist is a physician who specialises in the ear, nose, throat, sinus, and neck. He or she is responsible for diagnosing, examining, identifying, and treating disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the fundamental functions of life. It includes hearing and balance, swallowing and speech, breathing, and sleep. An ENT specialist provides surgical, medicinal and therapeutic treatment to patients.
Dentist: A dentist is a healthcare professional who specialises in oral health. He or she is responsible for removing tooth decay, filling cavities, fixing fractured teeth, and treating gums-related problems such as gingivitis, pyorrhea, and periodontal disease. A dentist uses a variety of equipment to examine the mouth and provide surgical as well as therapeutic care.
Cardiologist: A cardiologist is a physician who specialises in cardiology. Cardiology involves the study and treatment of diseases and conditions of the cardiovascular system. A cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels. He or she is responsible for treating heart rhythm disorders, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart defects, infections and other related disorders.
Pulmonologist: A pulmonologist specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders and other illnesses of the human respiratory system. The human respiratory system consists of lungs and other organs that provide support for breathing. He or she is responsible for treating flu and pneumonia that may have effects on your lungs, upper airways, thoracic cavity, and chest wall.
Pathologist: A pathologist is a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing fluid produced by the human body. He or she performs tests in the laboratory. A pathologist provides support to other healthcare professionals in the diagnosis of the medical condition of a patient. Hence, he or she plays a crucial role in providing accurate treatment to patients.
Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a physician who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional, behavioural and substance use disorders. He or she is responsible for treating mental conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and addiction.
Clinical Psychologist: A clinical psychologist is a medical professional who specialises in abnormal psychology. He or she applies psychological therapies and procedures to provide support to clients in recovering from various problems. It includes depression, addiction, anxiety, neurological disorders, mental ill-health, challenging behaviour, and learning disabilities.
What is the workplace/work environment of Doctor like?
Doctors often work in fast-paced and demanding environments such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices. A high-level of concentration, commitment, and flexibility is required in this profession. Long working hours are common, and individuals often work on night shifts, weekends, and during emergencies.
Strong communication skills are necessary when it comes to interacting with patients, especially those who might not see reason when under stress. Although it is a high-stress job, it is also a deeply rewarding career, not just monetarily,y but a sense of pride too comes with it.
Does Doctor require travelling?
Not Likely
There is not much travelling involved, unless and until you are a government doctor wherein on a regular bases will be transferred. During the early phase of a career as a government doctor, the transfer takes place to rural areas, so one must be mentally prepared.
A senior doctor might attend medical conferences, seminars, workshops, or meetings with other healthcare professionals for learning purposes as well as professional development.
Employment Shifts
Full Time, Hourly Basis, On Call
Working hours of a doctor depend on various factors, such as hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories. There are a number of employment opportunities, such as opening a private practice or working as consulting doctors at hospitals and multi-speciality clinics. Doctors are required to provide medical advice and prescribe medicines on call as well. Doctors employed full-time in hospitals often work in rotational shifts, including night and emergency duties.
Employment Nature
Contractual, Permanent
Doctors can find employment on a permanent as well as on a contractual basis. Those working on a contractual basis work across multiple hospitals and healthcare facilities. This can be on an hourly as well as on a part-time basis, often during fixed hours and on specific days. In India, doctors are also employed at hospitals, where they provide continuous medical services to patients.
Work Place
hospitals, clinical lab, healthcare facility
A doctor can work with multiple healthcare facilities and provide services on an hourly basis to each facility.
Presence in Geographical Area
Semi-urban, Urban
Metro Cities such as New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune offer great career opportunities. Doctors working in metro cities generally earn more than their counterparts who are working in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Those working in rural areas often have to face a lot of difficulties, as quite often there is a shortage of proper medical facilities, and there is limited or negligent awareness regarding healthcare.
Time Pressure
Likely
There is a significant amount of time pressure involved when working as a doctor. Doctors are required to give adequate time to examine each patient, diagnose conditions, and identify signs of diseases and disorders. Doctors are required to interact with patients to understand their health concerns and their medical history.
When it comes to treatment, a defined course of medication, therapy, or a surgical intervention might be required over a specific period of time, as recovery through medical, therapeutic, or surgical intervention often takes time.
Overtime Details
Those working as doctors are often required to work overtime. There can be an emergency at anytime (late hours, or at the end of the shift) which might require immediate medical intervention. The profession is such that emergencies cannot be ignored, regardless of the time or any other circumstances.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 45 Hours
Individuals in the doctor career in India working full-time with a healthcare facility works a minimum of 45 hours a week. Working hours may vary depending on the workplace and its functioning schedule.
How to become a Doctor?
Steps to become a Doctor
Years and years of dedication is required to become a doctor. Those who want to join this profession have to follow a defined pathway. We have mentioned the key steps that need to be taken. Read on to know more about how to become a doctor after Class 12.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Doctor?
Medical aspirants often ask how to become a doctor in India. There is a required set of skills that a doctor's career requires. We have mentioned below several skills that are crucial in a career as a doctor. Here, we have discussed how to become a doctor in India.
Medical knowledge: Medical knowledge is fundamental for doctors as it forms the basis of accurate diagnosis, effective treatment planning, and informed decision-making. A strong foundation in medical sciences enables physicians to understand complex conditions, stay updated on advancements, and provide optimal care, ensuring the well-being of their patients.
Teamwork: A doctor is required to perform efficiently and effectively in a team. He or she is required to provide medical assistance and coordinate with other surgeons while performing surgeries that relate to their area of speciality. They might also need to work in teams when it comes to treating patients with multiple illnesses or during health camps.
Communication skills: A doctor must possess strong communication skills. He or she is required to listen carefully to his or her patients when they describe symptoms and her related to problems to identify the disease. A doctor is required to prescribe necessary medications and precautions to be taken by patients.
Organising skills: A doctor meets multiple patients and listens to their problems in his or her working day. He or she is required to prescribe medications to each patient after diagnosing the disease and its level or effect on patients. He or she is required to manage time and schedule appointments for consulting patients.
Ethical decision-making: Ethical decision-making is crucial for doctors as it ensures patient welfare, maintains trust, and upholds the integrity of the medical profession. Doctors face complex situations requiring moral judgement, such as treatment choices, confidentiality, and end-of-life decisions. Adhering to ethical principles ensures the highest standard of care and fosters a patient-centred approach.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Doctor?
Several degrees, certificates and internships are proved to be important in the career of a doctor. We have provided below certification courses for aspiring individuals who want to opt for a career as a doctor or other related medical careers to upgrade their skills and knowledge.
Internship Availability
Internships are mandatory for individuals enrolled in medical programmes. Students enrolled in the M.B.B.S. programmes are required to opt for a rotational residency programme for twelve months. After successful completion of a post-graduate programme, candidates are required to undergo a residency programme in any of the related fields.
Candidates must apply to programmes in hospitals. During the residency programme, the physician-in-training works under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. The duration of the residency programme may range from two to seven years depending on the speciality chosen for the postgraduate programme.
Doctor Jobs and Salaries
Junior Doctor
- Average Salary 33000
Job Description
The Junior Doctor job description includes assessing a patient's symptoms, diagnosing illnesses, injuries or any diseases and doing tests on patients. A Junior Doctor plans and prepares a course of treatment and recommends a suitable specialised Doctor if a particular case does not come under his or her specialisation.
Salary Description
An entry-level Doctor's salary in India ranges between Rs 0.3 Lakhs to Rs 10.3 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 4.0 Lakhs per annum. Junior Doctor salary in India may vary depending on the various job factors like skills and experience of the candidates, job location, and others.
Salary Source: AmbitionBox
Senior Doctor
- Average Salary 75000
Job Description
The Senior Doctor job description includes providing diagnosis, treatment, or counselling to patients. A Senior Doctor performs surgeries, promotes health education, and discusses and evaluates new pharmaceutical products with pharmaceutical representatives.
Salary Description
The estimated Doctor salary in India ranges from Rs 2.2 Lakhs to Rs 18.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 12.1 Lakhs per annum. Senior Doctor salary may vary depending on the various job factors.
Salary Source: AmbitionBox
What is the job outlook for Doctor?
There is a high level of competition at the entry-level as it offers long-term growth. After completing the MBBS degree and undergoing compulsory training, doctors can either set up their own practice or go for higher studies to pursue degrees such as MD or MS if they are interested in specialising in fields such as cardiology or neurology.
Although there is an increasing number of medical professionals in India, the country continues to face a huge doctor-patient gap, which in turn ensures a sustained demand and career opportunities across the healthcare sector.
Frequently Asked Questions for Doctor
Que. What is the average salary offered to candidates after successful completion of an M.B.B.S. programme?
Ans.The salary varies depending on skills and experience. Employers prefer to hire candidates with prior work experience. Thus, internships play a crucial role in getting a full-time job role. The average salary offered to fresh graduates of the M.B.B.S. programme ranges from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 1,200,000 per annum.
Que. What is the average fee of M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) programme?
Ans.The fee varies depending on institutes and specialisations opted for an M.D. programme. Government colleges charge an economic fee on the other hand private colleges charge a hefty fee. The average fee for an M.D. in a cardiology programme ranges from Rs. 42,000 to Rs. 1,200,000 per annum.
Que. What is the difference between an M.S. (Master of Surgery) and M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) programme?
Ans.The M.S. programme is a postgraduate-level clinical degree programme that specialises in the surgical care of patients. On the other hand, an M.D. programme is a postgraduate level clinical programme which specialises in non-surgical treatment of patients. There are several branches where surgery is adapted as a part of M.D. programme. The minimum eligibility to opt for such programmes requires successful completion of an M.B.B.S. programme.
Que. What is the average fee of an M.B.B.S. programme?
Ans.The fee varies according to the institution. Government colleges charge an economic fee amount. On the other hand, private colleges charge a hefty fee. The duration of an M.B.B.S. programme is five and half years including rotating internships. The average fee of the programme ranges from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 500,000 per annum.
Que. What is a residency programme in medical?
Ans.Medical students are required to opt for a residency programme after successful completion of an M.B.B.S., M.D., or M.S. programme to establish a career as a doctor. The duration of the residency programme may range from two to seven years. Candidates are required to perform medical or clinical practice under the supervision of a senior practitioner or doctor.
Que. What is the salary of mbbs doctor in government hospital?
Ans.A doctor's salary varies depending on skills, experience and specialisation. The salary of mbbs doctor in a government hospital ranges between Rs. 0.1 lakh to Rs. 51 lakhs per annum.
Que. What is the physician assistant course eligibility?
Ans.The minimum eligibility for opting for physician assistant, medical lab assistant or medical lab technician course is successful completion of 10+2 in physics, chemistry and biology.
Que. How to become a medical doctor?
Ans.In order to develop a career as a doctor, candidates are required to complete 10+2 in physics, chemistry and biology with an aggregate of 50 per cent marks from a recognised board. Further, they can appear in NEET and AIIMS UG entrance examination. On the basis of evaluation of candidates performance in the entrance examination, admissions are provided in the medical colleges. After successful completion of 10+2 candidates are required to opt for an M.B.B.S. programme.
Que. What are different types of doctors?
Ans.There are numerous types of doctors based on their specialisation in a certain area and method of treatment. It will be difficult to put the whole doctor careers list. In the field of medical sciences, doctor career options are not limited. The major types of doctors are as follows: Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, Neurologist, Endocrinologist, Gynaecologist, Physiotherapist, General Physician, Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Rheumatologist.
Que. What is a Doctor?
Ans.A career as Doctor is a clinical professional who provides treatments to patients. He or she diagnose their problems and prescribes the medicines to restore their health.
Que. How many years it takes to become a doctor?
Ans.If you opt for an MBBS degree, it takes five and a half years, with a one-year internship. After that, you can apply for an Indian Medical Register Certificate and can practice a career as Doctor in India.
Que. After bsc nursing course how to become a Doctor?
Ans.You need to pass the NEET Examination after your 10+2 and opt for an MBBS bachelor's degree programme and apply for Indian Medical Register Certificate to practise your career as a Doctor.
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Questions related to Doctor
Is it true that many civil servants are Engineers and Doctors?
Yes, it's true as much as the syllabus of UPSC is more humanities oriented, the truth is the toppers come from as diverse backgrounds as that of medical/engineering/commerce/science, if you look at previous year toppers then yes , you will find many medical and engineering graduates, and the eligibility
Answer laterWhether doctors will not get atleast 2 weekends off a month?
Hello,
Your question is a bit unclear please specify it in what context you are trying to ask.
Doctors have duties in various departments it depends on the particular department and availability of other staff as well whether they will get an off or not.
Please try to be specific
Will Doctors get paid vacations, Government Holidays, etc?
Hello Candidate,
Most of the doctors both in private as well as government sector have a specific days of the Year allotted for them in which they can take a leave off their chairs and they will not have to suffer for their payment in those vacation days. So, if
Do Doctors work for 9 hours a day and for 365 day a year? Answer this professionally please?
Doctors work as when required serving mankind for all 365 days a year. You may see a doctor doing just 7 hours of duty on general OPD Days or maybe more than 10 hours, when he'll be busy with serious or emergency cases. Doctors are perhaps trained rigorously to manage
Is it true that Doctors in Tier 1 cities of India get Lakhs per month as salary?
Hello,
Doctors make a considerable amount of money.
Rural doctors make slightly more money on average than doctors practicing in big cities.
Physicians who choose to practice in the rural region faceless competitions but they can spend more time in their practices due to the larger patient base in those
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Did you know?
Fact 1
Sushruta, from 600 BCE India, is called the father of surgery.
Fact 2
Dr. Anandi Joshi became India’s first woman doctor in 1886.
Fact 3
India’s doctor-patient ratio is around 1:834.
Fact 4
The Hippocratic Oath dates back over 2,500 years.
Fact 5
Over 1,500 Indian doctors died during COVID-19.
