Which Doctors Are Needed Most?
Look to one of these specialties when making a career choice
The most in-demand fields in health care are pediatricians, anesthesiologists and psychiatrists, along with physicians with a focus on family.
PEDIATRICIANS
Specializing in caring for children, pediatricians diagnose and treat injuries, diseases or conditions suffered by infants, toddlers and adolescents.
As with other doctors, they manage their patients’ physical, behavioral and mental health, but only after additional knowledge and skills relating to the special needs of younger people. They’ll handle regular checkups, immunizations and other everyday health care needs until their patient transitions to an adult general practice physician.
PSYCHIATRISTS
These medical doctors specialize in mental health conditions like substance abuse disorders or emotional issues after receiving dedicating training on how psychological
problems impact parents both mentally and physically. They will diagnose patients by ordering lab or psychological tests after extensive personal conversations. Then they create treatment plans which include prescription medication, therapy or other treatments.
ANESTHESIOLOGIST
Anesthesiologists are involved with patients throughout a surgery, evaluating them before administering pain medication by discussing medical history and administering a physical exam. They then share this information with the surgical team and develop a pain
management plan. Finally, the anesthesiologist helps monitor post-operative recovery, and may be involved with deciding when discharge
can be approved. FAMILY PHYSICIANS
Family physicians are general practitioners who work with a broad spectrum of patients as a point of first contact before recommending any needed specialists. More typically, they help with everyday checkups, recovery from mishaps and health maintenance.
Prospects must graduate from an accredited school, complete a residency for a minimum of three years and then get a state-approved license in the state where they intend to practice.
OTHER NEEDS FOR PHYSICIANS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctors are also needed in gynecology and women’s health, cardiology and gastroenterology. Each position has its own distinctive responsibilities: Ob-gyns provide care related to female reproductive systems. Most are general practitioners who treat common medical conditions while also performing surgeries and delivering babies.
Cardiologists specialize in cardiovascular-system elements like the heart and blood vessels. They’re trained to diagnose and treat high blood pressure, heart attacks, arrhythmia and heart failure. Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat gastrointestinal tract diseases of the stomach, esophagus, small intestine, rectum and colon, pancreas and gallbladder, liver and bile duct.