As we know, the role of a physician plays a significant part in our lives. We need their professional expertise to keep us healthy, in-check, and treat any illnesses or diseases. A Physician is defined as, “a medical doctor, either an M.D. or D.O., who has completed graduate training to provide health care.” Though all physicians are doctors, not all doctors are physicians. In medical school, you are required to gain experience in the field you want to pursue. Before gaining classroom and clinical knowledge, a medicine student should be fully aware of where their passion as a future healthcare professional lies. Although there are a plethora of medical paths in healthcare available for physicians, some are in more demand than the others. Here are some of the physician specialties in demand.
Cardiology (noninvasive & Invasive)
Cardiology is the study of the cardiovascular system. A physician in this specialty examines and treats diseases and disorders. Diagnostic images and electrocardiograph recordings are often used to make an accurate diagnosis. The heart, blood vessels, and arteries are the important parts of the cardiovascular system and therefore need thorough examination. There are three main components of cardiology:
- Invasive: Invasive cardiology uses minimal invasive surgery to treat structural abnormalities within the heart. Angioplasty and stenting are two common types of invasive cardiology.
- Non-Invasive: this category of cardiology doesn’t require the use of instruments that need to be inserted into the body to identify a heart problem. Popular non-invasive techniques are echocardiography, stress tests, heart monitors,etc.
- Interventional: a non-surgical option that uses a catheter to repair weakened or damaged blood vessels or narrowed arteries.
On average, a cardiology physician makes $357,350 per year.
Anesthesiology
Among the physician specialties in demand, Anesthesiology is the field of medicine dedicated to relieving pain before, during, and after surgery. Due to many advancements in medicine, the practice of anesthesiology has become quite safe. There are different types of anesthesia available such as sedation, general, and regional. The type of anesthesia performed by the physician depends on the patient’s current situation, medical history, and preferences. The main responsibility of a professional in anesthesiology is to ensure the safety of the patient before and after surgery in terms of relieving their pain. One must monitor and maintain normal vital signs during the procedures.
The median yearly salary of an anesthesiologist is $385,600.
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology focuses on the digestive system and its disorders. It has to do with the structure, functions, diseases, and pathology of the stomach and intestines. A physician practicing in gastroenterology is called a gastroenterologist. They perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures including endoscopy, cholangiopancreatography, liver biopsy, endoscopic ultrasound, and endoscopic retrograde. Some of the responsibilities of a gastroenterologist include consulting with patients to address their health concerns, performing diagnosis tests, analyzing patient historical data, conducting x-ray, MRI, and ultrasound scanning, etc. Gastroenterologists tend to care for patients within an office or hospital setting. In some situations, nursing homes and outpatient surgical centers are included.
The average yearly salary is $376,228.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental & behavioral disorders. This includes issues related to cognition, perceptions, and mood. Individuals seek psychiatric help for different reasons. Some of the problems can be frightening hallucinations, panic attacks, and thoughts of suicide. There can also be more long-term issues, such as hopelessness, anxiety, or sadness that is making day-to-day functions more difficult. A physician in this field of medicine will have the title of a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a qualified healthcare professional who specializes in mental health and can assess both physical and mental aspects of psychological problems. Some general responsibilities include analyzing data and results of assessments to diagnose patients, prescribe medications, monitor patients for potential side effects of medication, develop a treatment plan, etc.
The average psychiatrist salary is $226,492 per year.
Radiology
Another physician specialty in demand is the field of radiology. Radiology consists of analyzing images of the body’s organs to diagnose diseases. Physicians in this field are responsible for interpreting the images and pass on the reports to the designated clinical doctor, from surgeons to internists. They use medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-rays, positron emission tomography, ultrasound, computed tomography, and fusion imaging. Radiology can help the diagnosis of cancers and a variety of diseases. With the help of advanced technology, radiologists can analyze images much more accurately and quickly. A career pursued in radiology also contributes to the work conducted in other specialties and is important for other aspects of healthcare.
The average salary of a radiologist is $411,190.
So these were a few of the physician specialties in demand. There are more fields in healthcare that are good career choices for anyone looking to become a physician. It is essential to do the proper research of the specialty you are interested in before you pursue it. Follow the path that will allow you to demonstrate your skills, and work with dedication.