Doctors meet and talk with patients and caregivers to diagnose, manage and treat illnesses and injuries. Of course, specific duties will vary depending on the area of medicine you intend to practice, but many of the core duties are required of all doctors. Some of those duties may include:
Listening carefully to patients to gather information regarding symptoms
Performing diagnostics to determine the root problem
Reading and interpreting laboratory results
Prescribing medication; administering treatments
Ordering and/or performing procedures as needed
Providing follow-up care of patients or referring them to other providers as necessary
Working closely with physician assistants, doctors, EMTs, pharmacists and other health professionals to ensure the best possible care of their patients
Staying up-to-date on emerging medical technology and the latest field research
Practicing compassion, understanding and caring manners