What Does it Take to Be a Doctor?

Doctors play a critical role in society, helping people maintain good health and well-being. They work in a variety of settings, depending on their specialty and practice model. Some doctors work in hospitals, where they may collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to diagnose and treat patients in emergency rooms, operating rooms, or specialized wards. Other doctors work in outpatient settings, such as private medical practices, community health centers, or specialty medical clinics. Doctors in these settings provide patient care, consultations, and referrals for treatment.

In addition to a rigorous education and training, doctors must stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in medicine and technology. They regularly attend conferences, engage in continuing medical education programs, and read scientific literature to keep up with their field. This ongoing learning is necessary to ensure that they are able to provide the best possible care for their patients.

Fulfilling Career

The gratifying work of a doctor can be incredibly fulfilling. Physicians are responsible for diagnosing and treating a wide range of illnesses, alleviating pain and suffering, and improving overall health and wellness. The responsibilities of the job can be physically and emotionally demanding, but the reward of helping others live longer, healthier lives is often extremely rewarding.

High Earning Potential

A doctor’s salary is typically competitive, reflecting their extensive education and specialized skills. They can earn a substantial income, which can help them achieve financial security and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

Many doctor roles require a significant time commitment, and this can impact family life. In some cases, this can lead to a sense of burnout. Additionally, the heavy student debt burden associated with a medical degree can limit a doctor’s financial flexibility early in their careers.

The First Doctor

The man who started it all, William Hartnell paved the way for all the subsequent Doctors. He was a wise and grandfatherly figure who traveled the universe with ten companions, from 1963 to 1966. His indignant retorts and puckish retreats were iconic, forming the core of the Doctor’s persona.

Tom Baker

The third Doctor was an unlikely choice for the part, a novice monk who’d been working on a building site when he got the call to take over. But Baker reinvented the part, creating a playful and unpredictable cosmic flaneur with a bohemian get-up and a supernova grin. He was warm and silly, but could also be surprisingly callous — he once told a group of Antarctic explorers they had to help themselves or die.

Capaldi’s time in the Tardis gave us some of the show’s creepiest episodes, including “Listen”, “Knock Knock”, and a genuinely moving one-hander called “Heaven Sent.” He was also great at delivering powerful monologues, with his speech against war during a Zygon two-parter ranked as the second-best Doctor Who episode ever.