Contemporary medicine is challenging, exciting and dynamic.
Countless new discoveries are making their impact on medical practice every year. With the advent of new technology, doctors qualifying now will see even more dramatic changes in the future.
From being a community based GP who has daily contact with patients, to a surgeon working in a hospital, a geneticist in a lab, a lecturer teaching students, or working in the armed forces or police force, there are over 50 career paths to choose from.
A medical career, whatever path you choose, should not be embarked on lightly.
From the completion of your formal medical studies to training in your chosen specialty to the continuing learning required for all registered doctors working in the UK, medicine is a career that constantly challenges you to learn and develop throughout your working life.
What underpins medicine for many doctors is the desire to help and serve people, by diagnosing and treating illness and disease.
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Qualities of a doctor
Anyone with the ability, personal attributes and motivation can apply to study medicine.
The GMC (General Medical Council) produces the Good Medical Practice guide, which sets out what is expected of all registered doctors. This guide gives a good insight into the role and responsibilities of being a doctor and can help in understanding what is required as a medical professional.
The medical schools council produced a comprehensive, updated statement on the core values and attributes needed to study medicine and advice on how to demonstrate these values in your application.
These key skills and attributes are:
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Motivation to study medicine, a genuine interest in the medical profession
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Insight into your own strengths and weaknesses
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Personal organisation
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Academic ability
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Dealing with uncertainty
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Manage risk and deal effectively with problems
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Conscientiousness
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Insight into your own health
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Teamwork
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Ability to treat people with respect
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Empathy, the ability to care for others
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Honesty
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The ability to reflect on your own work
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Problem solving
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Ability to take responsibility for your own actions
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Effective communication
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Resilience
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The ability to deal with difficult situations
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Medical specialties
There are a huge number of specialties that you can choose from, with over 50 career paths available.
You can find out more from our insider's guide to medical specialties. You can also access our quick guides, with an explanation, an overview of the training route and a day in life guide from doctors who are specialists in their fields.
View a list of NHS career choices
Although the majority of doctors work within the NHS, opportunities also exist in other sectors, including the armed forces, prisons and with police forces working as a forensic physician.
Get an at a glance guide, overview of the training routes and hear more about these alternative medical career paths:
When considering a career in medicine, do your research - be sure the demanding lifestyle is for you. It's always important to consider what the practicalities of what life will be like first as a medical student, then as a junior doctor in training and then onto a senior post in your chosen field.
From the financial impact of studying and training to the long term commitment required to reach, life as a doctor can be relentless but also incredibly rewarding.
For many being a doctor is a vocation that lasts a lifetime - make sure it's for you.
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Career path of a doctor
Medicine is a rewarding career, and being a doctor involves a lifetime of learning.
This begins with an undergraduate degree at medical school, followed by a postgraduate period called foundation training, at which point a salary can be earned, followed by further higher specialty training and then progression to being a senior doctor once specialty training is complete.
Take a look at our training pathway information that gives you an idea of the different stages of a medical career, from studying as a medical student through clinical training to becoming senior doctor.
Find out more