Medical Practitioner
Medical practitioners diagnose physical and mental
illnesses, disorders and injuries, and prescribe medications
and treatment to promote or restore good health.
A medical practitioner may perform the following tasks:
- examine the patient to determine the nature of the
disorder or illness, and record the patient's medical
information
- order, perform and analyse laboratory tests, X-rays and
other diagnostic images and procedures
- provide overall care for patients and prescribe and
administer treatments, medications and other remedial
measures
- aid in the prevention of diseases and disorders by
advising patients on diet, exercise, hygiene and general
health
- prescribe and administer medication and inoculate
patients to prevent infectious or contagious diseases
- provide pre- and post-natal care
- report births, deaths and notifiable diseases to
government authorities
- arrange for patients to be admitted to hospital
- refer patients to other medical specialists and exchange
relevant medical details.
They are involved in a wide range of activities including
consultations, attending emergencies, performing operations
and arranging medical investigations. In caring for patients,
medical practitioners work with many other health
professionals.
Working conditions are usually comfortable, however medical
practitioners may sometimes deal with unpleasant conditions
due to a patient's injury or illness. Adopting strict hygiene
practices is important. Depending on their area of
specialisation, medical practitioners may have to work long,
demanding and irregular hours. This may include working on
weekends and at night or being on call 24 hours a day.
Graduating medical practitioners may specialise as general
practitioners or in a number of fields, including as an:
Anaesthetist who administers anaesthetics to
patients who are undergoing surgery and take care of them
during and after the operation. Anaesthetists are also
involved in pain management.
Neurologist who studies and treats injuries and
diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous
system and muscle tissue.
Obstetrician/Gynaecologist who provides medical care
before, during and after childbirth (obstetrics), and
diagnoses, treats and assists in the prevention of disorders
of the female reproductive system (gynaecology).
Ophthalmologist who diagnoses and treats diseases,
injuries and deficiencies of the eye.
Paediatrician who diagnoses and treats diseases of
children from birth to early adolescence.
Pathologist who uses laboratory procedures to
identify and diagnose the presence and stages of diseases, and
possible sources of infection in body tissues, fluids,
secretions and other specimens.
Physician who may specialise in one of many branches
of medicine, such as internal medicine, cardiology (treatment
of heart disease), rheumatology (treatment of arthritis),
allergy, neurology, haematology (treatment of diseases of the
blood and blood forming tissues), or geriatrics (diagnosis and
treatment of diseases affecting elderly people).
Psychiatrist who diagnoses and treats mental,
emotional and behavioural disorders.
Radiologist who diagnoses and treats diseases using
radiant energies such as X-rays, ultrasound, gamma rays and
radio waves.
Surgeon who may specialise in many areas such as
orthopaedic surgery (bones and joints), plastic and
reconstructive surgery, ophthalmology, cancer surgery and
otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat).
Required Skills - Medical Practitioner
- good communication skills
- self-confidence
- conscientiousness
- able to relate to people
- compassion towards others
- enjoy working with people
- a high degree of motivation and self-discipline
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