Physicians are responsible for diagnosing and treating, injuries, diseases, and other health problems. They work to prevent illnesses, promote good health to the people, prescribe treatments, and interpret diagnostic tests. These professionals supervise other staff members such as nurses, technicians, and physician assistants. They also team up with other physicians and health care providers in order to attain high standards of health care in their field.

Physicians usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Ensuring maintenance of comprehensive medical records of patients.
• Providing advice to patients.
• Evaluating case notes.
• Making use of health care departments.
• Referring patients to other hospitals.

• Being able to direct other professionals.
• Having knowledge of the practices of medicine and surgery.
• Being able to work under stressful circumstances.
• Having emotional stability.
• Being able to maintain positive public relations.
• Having good bedside manners.
• Being able to study throughout their career.
• Having teamwork skills.
• Being self-motivated.
• Having good written and verbal communication skills.

Persons who want to be Physicians are required to have several years of academic qualifications. Among these requirements are four years of Undergraduate School, four years of Medical school, and three to eight years of residency and internship, depending on the specialties. There are medical schools that offer combined medical school and undergraduate programs that last seven years. Students of this area must complete undergraduate work in mathematics, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, English, and biology. Applicants who want to study at medical schools need to have three years of college as a minimum requirement.

Professionals working on this area must have a license to practice medicine as a Physician. They need to pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (in the case of osteopathic physicians) or the United States Medical Licensing Examination.