Health Careers Spotlight:
Primary Care Physician

Physicians, also known as doctors of medicine or doctors of osteopathy, use a combination of extensive education and training, work experience, and ongoing research to better serve their patients. Once a physician has determined a diagnosis and a treatment strategy, she/he works with the rest of the health care team to put that strategy into action. While all physicians are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat illnesses and to prescribe medications, most choose to specialize in a particular area. Primary care physicians are doctors who deliver healthcare for the majority of common illnesses and who typically have a group of established patients.

Where you might work:  Primary care physicians may work in medical offices, clinics, and hospitals, often in combination. Physicians may work independently as a solo practitioner, owning and managing his or her own practice, or may partner with other physicians to form a group practice. Some physicians may be employed as salaried staff by a clinic or hospital.

Job Outlook: Several factors, including an aging population and advancements in health care, will ensure that physicians remain in high demand. As increasing numbers of medical practices locate in urban areas, there will be a particular demand for physicians in rural areas in the coming years. Earnings of physicians are among the highest of any occupation. According to the Medical Group Management Association’s Physician Compensation and Production Survey, in 2008, physicians practicing primary care had a total median annual compensation of $186,044. Self-employed physicians—those who own or are part owners of their medical practice—generally have higher median incomes than salaried physicians. Earnings vary according to number of years in practice, geographic region, hours worked, skill, personality, and professional reputation. Self-employed physicians must provide for their own health insurance and retirement.

Education, Licensing & Certification: To become a physician, it takes four years of undergraduate work and four years of medical school, followed by three to eight years of internships and residency. High school course work should have a heavy emphasis on math and science, followed by an undergraduate degree that incorporates the necessary science classes. Excellent grades along the way are important.

For more information on a career as a physician, please visit the American Medical Association website at www.ama-assn.org.

(updated 8/30/10)

Amy Roberts, MD, is an internal medicine physician in a solo practice in St. Albans, Vermont. Amy received her Bachelor of Science degree from Alma College in Miochigan and attended the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She completed her residency at the Primary Care Program at the University of Rochester in New York.

We interviewed Amy for the Spring 2010 version of The Convener to discuss her experiences working in the field of Primary Care.

How did you become interested in becoming a physician?
I helped my mother study to become a Registered Nurse (RN) when she was 40 years old. I discovered that I liked to read her textbooks.

How long have you been working as a physician?
I graduated medical school in 1991 and completed my residency in 1994—so 16-19 years.

What other alternatives did you consider?
None really. I was a fairly focused young woman.

Did any person influence your decision to become a physician?
My mother. My mom earned her RN degree while working three jobs and raising six children. A driven and focused woman as well.

In what ways has your occupation changed you as a person?
I am much more protective of my personal time given the significant demands of this profession.

If you could have chosen any occupation (no limits) what would it be?
I’ve never given this much thought as I’ve always wanted to be a physician. However, now that I’m in this field, I occasionally wonder how different my life would be if I had pursued my love of math!

Describe the demands of your job including hours per week, relating with people, and so on.
Self-employed physicians must now be businessmen and women. I never learned anything in college to prepare me for this aspect of my practices—learn as one goes. The number of hours I work per week depends upon my call schedule In terms of working with people, you can’t please everyone but if you just listen, even if you don’t have all the answers—that goes a long way!

What is a typical day for you?
I’m at work by 7:30 am and work straight through lunch. On Mondays and Thursdays I’m usually home by 7 pm and Tuesday and Wednesday I’m home by 6 pm. During the day I see my scheduled patients and also triage all phone calls, refill medications, communicate with other physicians by phone, review all paperwork, and address lab results and X-ray results by phoning or mailing the results to my patients.

Do you encounter any problems combining your job with your family life?
Yes. I have too little time with my family. It’s hard to attend games, school functions, and concerts, without significant pre-planning and scheduling. I bring work home every night.

What personal characteristics are desirable to be good at this job?
Determination, focus, efficiency, stamina, dedication.

What do you like best and what aspects of this position cause the most frustration?
I like forming longstanding relationships with my patients—living their lives and sharing their ups and downs. The most frustrating part of the job—insurance company issues—too many to list! Also, it can be hard to deal with the rare unhappy patient that cannot be satisfied.

What high school classes should be taken to prepare for this health career?
Math and science help but I graduated medical school with many from arts backgrounds. Anyone can be a physician if determined.

What advice would you give someone who is planning to enter this field?
Be sure that it’s what you really want to do, as it takes so much time and money to reach this goal. Once you’ve arrived, there is significant debt but, if there is job satisfaction, you can pay it off gradually without the stress of being in a profession you don’t enjoy.