Career paths for doctors: private practice, public sector, and laboratory work

¶ … Jobs

In any field, careers can be classified along various parameters. For doctors and scientists, jobs can be divided generally into private practice, public sector, and laboratory work. Private practice jobs can be highly lucrative. However, the doctor has to contend with rent, malpractice insurance, and marketing costs. Public sector jobs may be rewarding personally but often offer less freedom and pay less than private practice jobs. Finally, laboratory work offers a unique working environment that research physicians may appreciate.

Private practices for doctors can be further broken down into different categories depending on the area of specialization. Many doctors choose to allocate some of their time to hospital rounds, whereas others opt for exclusive private practices. Private practice doctors can be general practitioners or be specialists including plastic surgeons, pediatricians, psychiatrists, or podiatrists. Doctors with private practices may share their office space or operate an office independently.

Public sector medical jobs may be with local hospitals, clinics, or NGOs. Work in hospitals often resembles private practice jobs and indeed, many doctors perform both public and private work. Some, however, choose to devote their time to healing those who cannot otherwise afford medical care. International organizations like Doctors Without Borders offer jobs to such altruistic doctors. Many public sector jobs also involve regularly giving lectures.