Medicine

Physician

Programs in medicine provide the education needed by Physicians to meet the changing health care needs of society. Medical programs are designed to use the scientific disciplines so that the future practices of students will be as scientifically based as possible. Programs in medical school include clinical and laboratory work, observation, and hospital clerkships.

Work Activities

• Examining patients using various medical equipment, instruments, and tests
• Ordering or performing various tests, analyses, and X-rays to provide information on the patients condition
• Diagnosing the patients condition on the basis of examination, tests, and reports
• Prescribing and administering drugs and treatments
• Vaccinating patients to immunize them against communicable diseases
• Providing prenatal and postnatal care to pregnant women and delivering babies
• Performing surgery and related procedures
• Conducting research to aid in the control and cure of diseases
• Developing and testing new medical techniques
• Reporting births, deaths, and the outbreak of contagious diseases to governmental authorities
• Supervising medical treatments of patients

Allopathic and Osteopathic Physicians diagnose, prescribe medications for, and treat diseases of the human body relying on accepted medical and surgical procedures.

Career Specialties
Primary Care Physicians practice in most areas of medicine. They may refer complex medical problems to other specialists. The areas of primary care are:

• Emergency Medicine
• Family Practice
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics (emphasis on children's health)

Other specialists diagnose and treat illnesses and/or injuries related to specific branches of medicine or parts of the human body. These include the following:

• Anesthesiologists administer anesthesia (numbness or sleep) to patients undergoing surgery.
• Cardiologists treat diseases of the heart.
• Dermatologists specialize in treating conditions of the skin.
• Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat ailments of the digestive system.
• Gynecologists specialize in the prevention and treatment of disorders of the female reproductive system.
• Neurologists specialize in disorders of the brain and central nervous system.
• Obstetricians care for pregnant women and deliver babies.
• Oncologists specialize in working with malignant, or cancerous, tumors.
• Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat disorders associated with the eye.
• Orthopedists specialize in correcting or preventing skeletal deformities or ailments.
• Otolaryngologists treat ailments of the ears, nose, and throat.
• Pathologists interpret and diagnose the changes in tissue caused by disease.
• Physiatrists are specialists of physical medicine and rehabilitation.
• Psychiatrists deal with the study, treatment, and prevention of mental illness.
• Pulmonologists treat the lungs and respiratory system.
• Radiologists use X-rays to diagnose and treat disease.
• Surgeons perform operations to correct deformities, repair injuries, treat diseases, and improve functions of patients.
• Urologists treat ailments of the urinary tract.

Work Settings
Physicians may be supervised by a health administrator. They may work alone, with other Physicians, or with a nursing staff. They may supervise interns or residents as well as the nursing staff. The majority of doctors work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or in private practice offices. Physicians may be exposed to infections from patients, to cuts and burns from equipment, and to radioactive materials used in diagnosis and treatment.

Special Requirements
Upon completion of allopathic or osteopathic medical school, the MD degree or the DO degree is granted. Most Physicians then enter a period of post-graduate training called a residency during which time (one to four years) they receive their specialty training.

To become licensed as a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy, an applicant must complete four years of college and four years of medical school, meet all the educational and training requirements of the Board of Medicine, and pass an examination. Also required is completion of one year of satisfactory post-graduate training at a hospital in the United States or Canada approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, or another official accrediting body recognized by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association for internships or residency training.

The most common requirements for entering schools of medicine are completion of a pre-medical college or university program or its equivalent with an acceptable grade average; application through the centralized services of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), managed by the Association of American Medical Colleges, or the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service, managed by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine; and passing the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) with a competitive score. A personal interview, additional applications, and further testing may be required.

Physician Assistant

Programs for Physician Assistants prepare individuals some with past experiences as health care professionals to assist licensed physicians in a variety of health care settings. One or more years of direct patient care is a common prerequisite. The curriculum consists of courses in the basic medical sciences with clinical clerkships.

Work Activities

• Taking detailed medical histories and performing physical examinations on patients of all ages
• Ordering laboratory tests, X-rays, EKGs, and other diagnostic studies
• Identifying normal and abnormal findings on histories, physical examinations, and common laboratory tests
• Making diagnoses and decisions regarding the management and treatment of patients
• Prescribing medications
• Initiating therapy or treatment
• Suturing wounds, assisting in surgery, applying and removing casts, and performing other therapeutic procedures
• Making hospital rounds to observe and record the progress of patients, to update and summarize charts, and to order or carry out indicated therapy
• Assisting in providing services to patients who require continuing medical care at home, at a nursing home, or at another extended health care facility
• Coordinating and supervising the work of some health care professionals
• Counseling patients and their families on preventive care, medical problems, and prescribed treatments and drugs

Physician Assistants may have special training in a particular medical specialty, such as geriatrics, surgery, neonatology, pediatrics, or occupational medicine.

Work Settings
Physician Assistants work under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician. Some Physician Assistants work in satellite offices away from the direct supervision of the physician and communicate with the physician by telephone or radio. They may work alone or with other health personnel, such as registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

Physician Assistants usually work in physicians offices, clinics, or hospitals. They may be exposed to infection, communicable diseases, and contaminated materials.

Special Requirements
To become licensed as a Physician Assistant, an applicant must complete a course of study for Physician Assistants that has been approved and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs of the American Medical Association. Also, the applicant must pass an examination given by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants.

Educational Institutions
No program information is available.

Podiatrist

Work Activities

• Diagnosing foot ailments that are secondary to more serious conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, or cardiovascular disease
• Treating deformities or tendon imbalance via mechanical or surgical methods
• Providing care of corns, calluses, and fungal toenails, as well as surgical treatment of ingrown toenails, tumors, cysts, and bone disorders, such as bunions and hammertoes
• Prescribing pertinent medications, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories
• Prescribing and fitting corrective footwear and arch supports (orthotics)
• Advising patients on proper foot gear and home maintenance of their generalized foot health
• Teaching, consulting, and lecturing to the public on foot health care

Career Specialties
Podiatric medicine may be divided into a number of subspecialities although most podiatric practices incorporate most, if not all, of these subspecialties into a generalized practice.

Geriatric Care - treatment of foot problems of the geriatric population but not exclusively

Orthopedics /Biomechanics - diagnosis and treatment of bone, muscle, and joint disorders combined with a mechanical analysis of foot function

Podiatric Surgery - surgical correction of foot and ankle deformities

Sports Medicine - treatment of injuries and problems relating to athletic activities

All subspecialties may involve treating individuals ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics.

Work Settings
Newly licensed Podiatrists may open their own offices or purchase established practices. They may also enter a group practice as an associate to gain further experience and with the intention of purchasing part of the practice to become a partner. Some center their practice within a hospital or industry. Most Podiatrists work in a private setting but utilize hospital privileges for surgical and/or consultation purposes.

Special Requirements
To become licensed as a Podiatrist in New Mexico, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age, pass the Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination for States, pass the New Mexico jurisprudence examination, and hold the degree of doctor of podiatric medicine from an accredited school.

Educational Institutions
No program information is available.