Doctors diagnose illnesses and treat injuries by examining patients, performing procedures, taking medical histories, prescribing medications, and conducting tests. In order to prevent patients from getting sick, doctors may also advise them on preventive health care, diet, and exercise. While general practice doctors will assess patients' overall health, many doctors specialize in a specific area, such as cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, or pediatrics.
The potential for high income as a physician is strong; however, because of the long education and training demands, becoming a successful doctor can take a very long time. Work hours are extremely long and doctors will likely have to work nights and weekends in addition to regular business hours. Private practice physicians are able to have more control over their schedules than those working in hospitals.