Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
Physicians and surgeons held about 708,300 jobs in 2014. Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Source: MyPlan.com, LLC, 2019; includes information from the O*NET 20.3 database, 2016, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition. O*NET™ is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
Interesting Fact
The Rx symbol used in pharmacology was originally as astrological sign for the planet Jupiter. Its use originated in the Middle Ages when doctors believed that planets influenced health.
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