What Does a Career in Medicine Look Like?

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Thinking about becoming a doctor? Medicine is a rewarding and varied career, but it is also a long-term commitment that requires dedication, resilience and a genuine interest in caring for people.

Before applying to medical school, it is important to understand what a career in medicine can actually look like — from medical school and foundation training through to becoming a doctor and potentially specialising.

There is no single type of doctor. Medicine offers a huge range of specialties and working environments, meaning your career can develop in many different directions.

Medical school

Once you have successfully gained a place at medical school, your journey to becoming a doctor really begins.

Most UK undergraduate medical degrees take around five or six years, depending on the course. During medical school, you will study the scientific foundations of medicine alongside clinical skills and patient care.

As you progress through your degree, you will spend increasing amounts of time in clinical environments, gaining experience in hospitals, GP practices and other healthcare settings.

You will learn how to:

  • Understand the science behind disease and treatment
  • Take a patient's history
  • Communicate effectively with patients and colleagues
  • Examine patients
  • Interpret clinical information and investigations
  • Work effectively within a healthcare team
  • Understand professionalism, ethics and patient safety

Medical school is not simply about learning facts. You will also develop the communication, teamwork, problem-solving and professional skills needed to work with patients.

What happens after medical school?

After graduating from medical school, doctors begin postgraduate training. This includes the Foundation Programme, followed by further training depending on the specialty they choose.

Some doctors go on to train in specialties such as:

  • General Practice
  • Surgery
  • Paediatrics
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Psychiatry
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Oncology
  • Anaesthetics
  • Radiology

There are many other specialties and subspecialties too.

You do not necessarily need to know which specialty you want to pursue when you apply to medical school. In fact, many students change their minds as they gain more experience.

What is a typical day like?

There is no single "typical" day for a doctor.

A GP might spend their day consulting with patients, reviewing test results, managing long-term conditions and coordinating care.

A hospital doctor may spend time on ward rounds, seeing new patients, reviewing investigations, carrying out procedures and communicating with relatives and other healthcare professionals.

A surgeon may divide their time between clinics, operating theatres, ward work and emergency cases.

Doctors can also work in research, medical education, public health, leadership and many other areas.

This variety is one of the things that makes medicine such a broad career.

The realities of a medical career

It is important to explore both the rewarding and challenging sides of medicine before deciding whether it is right for you.

Medicine can provide opportunities to:

  • Make a meaningful difference to people's lives
  • Build long-term relationships with patients
  • Work within a large multidisciplinary team
  • Continue learning throughout your career
  • Explore a wide range of specialties
  • Combine clinical work with research, teaching or leadership

However, it can also involve long hours, emotionally difficult situations, significant responsibility and challenging decisions.

This is why exploring medicine before applying is so important.

How can you find out whether medicine is right for you?

You do not have to wait until Year 12 to start exploring medicine.

You can begin by:

  • Reading about different medical specialties
  • Watching talks from doctors
  • Attending medical careers events
  • Taking part in work experience or volunteering
  • Speaking to doctors and healthcare professionals
  • Exploring what medical students actually do
  • Learning about the medical school application process

Work experience can be particularly valuable because it allows you to see healthcare from a more realistic perspective.

The important thing is not simply collecting experiences. Think about what you observe, what you learn and whether those experiences change your understanding of medicine.

Start exploring medicine early

You don't need to have your entire career planned out before applying to medical school.

Instead, use your time at school to explore the profession, understand what being a doctor involves and develop a realistic picture of the career.

The more you understand about medicine, the better placed you will be to decide whether it is the right path for you.