Physician & Surgeon

Career Breakdown:

The initial pathway to becoming a physician or surgeon is the same.
- Undergrad (4 years)
- Medical School (4 years)
Following medical school, you enter a residency program.
Here is where the path splits:
- Those becoming a physician typically have a residency for 3-7 years depending on their specialty.
- Surgeons on the hand typically have a residency of 5-7 years in the specialty of their choice.
Following residency both paths have the option to enter a fellowship program to continue training for specialization.

Role: Physicians focus on diagnosing, managing, and treating medical conditions through non-surgical methods. They conduct patient evaluations, prescribe medications, manage chronic illnesses, and perform procedures like biopsies or skin lesion removals but usually avoid invasive surgery.
Amount of School:
- Undergrad (4 years)
- Medical School (4 years)
- Residency (3-7 years)
- Fellowship (1-3 years) (optional)
Salary: $200,000 - $400,000
- Salary largely depends on specialty and can fall below or exceed these numbers.

Role: Surgeons focus on performing operations to treat or correct medical issues. They conduct pre-operative assessments, perform surgeries, and manage post-operative care. Some surgeons, particularly those in subspecialties, spend the majority of their time in operating rooms.
Amount of School:
- Undergrad (4 years)
- Medical School (4 years)
- Residency (5-7 years)
- Fellowship (1-3 years) (optional)
Salary: $300,000 - $500,000
- Salary largely depends on specialty and can fall below or exceed these numbers.

Medical Knowledge & Clinical Skills: Strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and disease processes.
Analytical & Problem-Solving Abilities: Diagnostic skills for physicians; quick decision-making for surgeons.
Manual Dexterity & Precision: Hand-eye coordination for procedures; precision especially critical for surgeons.
Communication Skills: Clear and empathetic communication with patients and healthcare teams.
Empathy & Compassion: Building trust and understanding with patients.
Emotional Resilience & Stress Management: Remaining calm under pressure and managing high-stress environments.
Attention to Detail: Thoroughness in diagnostics and procedural accuracy.
Adaptability & Continuous Learning: Staying updated with medical advancements and new techniques.
Ethical Judgment & Integrity: Making sound ethical decisions and maintaining patient confidentiality.
Time Management & Efficiency: Balancing patient load and delivering timely care.

~ Hippocrates