Research and Analysis of Two Job Careers within the Pre-medical Major
The research and analysis of the two jobs is aimed at increasing competence in professional research and analysis necessary in the field. This paper will look at two jobs namely Doctor in medicine (MD) and Osteopathy doctor (DO). The two jobs will be analyzed on several areas including training, practice, remuneration and future prospects.
1. Osteopathic Doctor
1.1 Overview of DO
According to Occupational Outlook Handbook (OHH) a DO is a physician who diagnoses ailments or injuries, prescribe medication as appropriate and administer treatment. Their activities range from patient examinations, acquiring necessary medical histories, ordering necessary tests necessary for diagnosis and interpret them to make diagnosis before commencing treatment methods. OHH states that they also give advice to patients on issues of hygiene, diet and practices that can cause prevention of diseases or injuries.
1.2 Course work
According to OHH the DO program is four years with core and elective subjects. The course work is quite demanding requiring 4 years of undergraduate school. After that the student undergoes 4 years of medical school followed by internship and residency. There are core as well as elective subjects during the years of training. During the initial two years in medical school students take course on core subjects like “anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical ethics, and laws governing medicine” (OHH). According to OOH, students also engage in learning how to get medical history, proper examination of patients and diagnosing diseases for practical experience.
According to OOH for the other two years the students under experienced doctor’s supervision work with patients and thus gain experience in rehabilitative as well as preventative care. After the course the majority of DO student undergo a one year internship prior to a 2-6 years residency according to OHH.
1.3 Specializations
DO students have several areas in which they can specialize. These include “anesthesiology, family and general medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and surgery” (OHH). Further specialization can be made in dermatology, cardiology and allergists among others. Most DO however go into pediatrics and family practice.
1.4 Relevant minor and/or certificates
In order to practice as DO the student has to pass the exams and receive a license to practice in the desired state. According to OHH Dos take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX). Eligibility for this exam is based upon graduation from a medical school accredited by American Osteopathic Association (AOA). OHH states that in order to acquire a certificate in a particular specialization, a DO spends between two to six years in residency after which the AOA issues a certificate upon passing an exam. OHH registers 18 specialty boards for DO specialization. For additional sub specialization 1-2 years of residency are required before certification.
1.5 Research
The DO program does not offer much opportunity for research. According to OHH, although research is currently becoming possible it has not previously received much focus. It states that areas of research include all the areas of specialization and general physician practice.
1.6 Job outlook
The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (DOL, bls) projects that employment for medical physicians will grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018 given the aging and increased population. However technology promises more productivity from the doctors. DOL, bls states that reduction in payment options for the population could reduce demand if physician care becomes costly for people and other options like nurses become readily available.
1.7 Projections
According to DOL, bls in 2008, the number of physicians was 661, 400. It is projected to increase by 22% by 2018 to 805, 500. (See Table 1).
1.8 Earnings
According to DOL, bls, in general, primary care physicians in 2008 earned around $186,044 for the year and those in specialty earned a mean of $339,738 for the year. According to Career Guide to Industries this growth is estimated to increase by 26% by 2018.
1.9 Wages
According to OHH wages for Dos differ according to years of experience, location of practice, reputation and skill. The Career Guide to Industries additionally states they are also determined by responsibility, education and duties performed.
2. Doctor in Medicine
2.1 Overview of MD
According to OHH an MD like the DO is a physician who diagnoses ailments or injuries, prescribe medication as appropriate and administer treatment. They therefore perform similar activities to Dos in patient examinations, acquiring necessary medical histories, ordering necessary tests necessary for diagnosis and interpret them to make diagnosis before commencing treatment methods. Likewise according to OHH, they offer advice on health issues like hygiene, diet and health practices.
2.2 Course work
The MD program is four years with core and elective subjects. During the initial two years of medical MD school students take course on “anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical ethics, and laws governing medicine” (OHH) They also partake in practical experience on how to get medical history, proper examination of patients and diagnosing diseases according to OHH.
For the remaining years the students are under experienced doctor’s supervision in working with patients to gain experience in rehabilitative as well as preventative care. According to OHH, after the course many of the MD student undergo a three to eight years internship and residency which for MDs is paid and usually taken as on job training in a hospital.
2.3 Specialization
MD students like DO students can specialize in “anesthesiology, family and general medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and surgery” (OOH). More specialization can be made in areas like emergency care, cardiology, dermatology and pathology among many others.
2.4 Relevant minor and/or certificates
To practice as an MD a licence must be acquired in the desired state according to OHH. It states that MDs take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) having graduated from a medical school accredited by Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Additionally, to acquire a certificate in a particular specialization, an MD needs 7 years in residency after which certification can be acquired through the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) having passed the exam. According to OHH this board offers 24 specialties and for subsequent sub specialization 1-2 years of residency are required before certification. (BLS)
2.5 Research
The MD practice offers lots of opportunity for research. According to Santa Fe College areas of research include all the areas of specialization and general physician practice.
2.6 Job outlook
The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (DOL, bls) projects that employment for medical physicians will grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018 given the aging and increased population. According to OOH however technology promises more productivity from the doctors and thus there could be reduction in demand especially if other health care workers like nurses increase. (See Table 1).
2.7 Projections
According to DOL, bls in 2008, the number of physicians was 661, 400. It is projected to increase by 22% by 2018 to 805, 500.
2.8 Earnings
According to DOL, bls, in general, primary care physicians in 2008 earned around $186,044 for the year and those in specialty earned a mean of $339,738 for the year.
2.9 Wages
According to OHH wages for MDs like those of DOs are affected by years of experience, location of practice, reputation and skill. The Career Guide to Industries states that they are also determined by responsibility, education and duties performed.
Conclusion
Given the characteristics of the two careers, it is clear they share a lot in common. On average they take the same amount of time to study with MD program being slightly longer and require the internship and residency. Certification is granted upon passing an exam and duration of experience. They offer opportunity for specialization and are comparable in renumeration. However, the DO program is more geared towards family practice, with less time overall in acquiring certification. The DO program also offers less opportunities for research.
Tables:
Table 1. Projections Data Projections data from the National Employment Matrix
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2008 Projected
Employment, 2018 Change,
2008-18 Detailed Statistics
Number Percent
Physicians and surgeons 29-1060 661,400 805,500 144,100 22 [PDF]
[XLS]
NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information Included in the Handbook.
(Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11. December, 2010. Web. )
Table 2. Percent distribution of active physicians in patient care by specialty, 2007
Specialty Percent
Internal medicine 20.1
Family medicine/general practice 12.4
Pediatrics 9.6
Obstetrics and gynecology 5.6
Anesthesiology 5.5
Psychiatry 5.2
General Surgery 5.0
Emergency Medicine 4.1
(Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11. December, 2010. Web. Table 1., from American Medical Association, 2009 Physician Characteristic and Distribution in the US).
Recommendations
The DO program can be recommended for someone interested in traditional general practice of medicine. It would be helpful if someone goes into the areas which do not have a lot of physicians as they can earn more in these areas. (See Table 2) The MD program however has more opportunity to engage in modern medical practices, specialization and research. It can be recommended for someone interested in current medical practices in diverse areas and opportunities for ultra specialization.
Work cited
US Department of Labor, Bureau of labor Statistics. Doctor. 2010. Web. 2nd December, 2010.
Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11 Edition. Physicians and Surgeons. 2010. Web. 2nd
December, 2010.
Career Guide to industries 2010-11 Edition. (CGI). Health Care. 2010. Web. 2nd December,
2010.
Santa Fe College. Bachelor of Applied Science. 2009. Web. 2nd December, 2010.
Table References
1. Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11 Edition. Projections Data from National Employment Matrix.
2. Percent distribution of active physicians in patient care by specialty, 2007
