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Contemporary medicine is chal lenging,
exciting and dynamic. Countless new discoveries
are making their impact on medical practice, and
doctors now qualifying will see even more dramatic
changes in the future, 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.
 A
career in medicine offers doctors an opportunity
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 practise in. This should suit their own personal
aptitudes (for example, community based doctors
such as general practitioners have daily face
to face contact with patients, whilst other doctors
concentrate on advancing medicine in terms of
undertaking scientific research, which may involve
less patient contact). A number of skills and
attributes have been identified that are considered
the 'core values' of doctors:
- Competence
- Integrity
- Spirit of enquiry
- Confidentially
- Responsibility
- Caring
- Advocacy
- Compassion
- Commitment
There are a large number of specialty career
paths in medicine - with over 50 career options
available, a doctor is assured of finding a suitable
career. The options may include becoming a surgeon,
a general practitioner, a geneticist, a psychiatrist,
a medical lecturer at medical school, a medical
researcher or a public health physician to name
a few. Although the majority of doctors work within
the NHS, opportunities exist in other settings,
such as the armed forces, the Home Office working
as a police surgeon, or a prison doctor, and many
others.
 Medicine
is a rewarding career; however, being a doctor
involves a lifetime of learning, both formally
and informally. Doctors have to update their knowledge
and skills throughout their careers. In terms
of the training period, it can take up to 12 years
to progress within structured training - from
studying medicine at undergraduate level to being
appointed as a senior doctor (hospital consultant).
GP status may be obtained in nine years.
After graduation from medical schools, doctors
undertake what is seen as an 'apprenticeship'.
In simple terms, this means that you learn more
about medical practice 'on the job' - whilst actually
practising it within your level of competency,
knowledge and skills. This is usually in the hospital
or community setting. This 'apprenticeship' begins
at the pre-registration house officer grade and
continues until you become a consultant or a general
practitioner.
Whilst the working conditions for doctors in
general are improving and their hours have been
reduced, it should be recognised that doctors
as professional people do work relatively long
hours and will be expected to be on-call at times.
In addition, doctors in the training grades are
usually studying for their specialty exams throughout
this training period and this can be demanding
and time consuming.
For further information
please contact the BMA.
British Medical Association
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9JP
Tel: 020 7387 4499
Fax: 020 7383 6400
Email: info.web@bma.org.uk
Web: www.bma.org.uk |
