HOSPITAL DOCTORS
What they do
Hospital doctors examine and cure hospital patients. They save lives and improve people’s health. Patients are sent to them by General Practitioners (GPs) and other health professionals. They listen to each patient, ask them about their symptoms and do a physical examination. They then decide what the problem is and explain the best options for treatment. It is important to reassure people as they may be very anxious.
Specialisations
Hospital doctors can specialise in a particular area and need to keep up to date with developments in their chosen field. They could work in:
- Surgery – here they carry out operations. They also look after patients before and after surgery. They can specialise in one field, such as neurosurgery.
- Medicine – here doctors offer more general treatment. Again, they can focus on one field, such as paediatrics, cardiology and many more.
- Pathology – doctors working in this area explore the causes and effects of diseases.
- Psychiatry – these doctors work with people who have mental health problems, for example depression or addiction. As well as therapy and counselling, they also do tests and prescribe medicine.
Other areas they can work in are: Anaesthetics, Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Oncology, Pediatrics, Radiology, etc.
Other aspects of their job
Doctors also have paperwork to do. They have to keep patient records up-to-date and write reports to tell GPs about the diagnosis and care of their patients.
Hospital doctors might also lead a team of medical staff, manage a department or help train doctors.
Working hours and places
They work long hours, including nights and weekends, and are part of an out-of-hours rota system. European legislation has reduced the number of hours you can work to no more than 48 per week.
Hospital doctors spend time in a variety of places such as consulting rooms, wards, operating rooms and special units, such as accident and emergency.
WARM UP
• Do you know anyone who 1s a doctor or 1s studylng to become a doctor?
• Would you llke to become a doctor? Why? / Why not?
DO
1 Hippocrates is considered the father of medicine. What do you know about him?
Use the internet to find some interesting facts about him.
