Medical Doctor

Job overview
Medical doctors examine patients, diagnose, prescribe medicine and perform minor operations and treatments for injuries, diseases and other ailments.

They also foster healthy communities through education and promoting community development.

What do people do in this occupation?
Thorough knowledge of diseases and their symptoms is required for diagnosis and treatment.

Doctors compile a clinical history of the patient before they make a diagnosis.

They use several techniques and apparatus in their examinations in order to form an image of the disease or injury.

It is important that all factors are taken into consideration before a diagnosis is made.

Treatment can be medical, surgical and therapeutic.

Doctors sometimes find it necessary to refer a patient for further diagnosis and special treatment.

Specialised knowledge in one aspect of general medicine may be acquired, for example: surgery paediatrics? (children's ailments?)?, obstetrics and gynaecology? (women's health?) ?and other areas.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Prospective medical doctors must like working with people and have an interest in their wellbeing.

They must be emotionally balanced, patient, tactful and calm.

They should be able to work fast, accurately, make quick decisions, carry responsibility and work under a great deal of pressure.

They must also be physically fit, since they often work long and irregular hours.

What qualifications are needed?
A university degree in medicine “MB ChB?”? or equivalent plus a further degree in any area of specialisation.