According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Analyze records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient. | 90% |
| Treat internal disorders, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or problems of the lung, brain, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract. | 89% |
| Prescribe or administer medication, therapy, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury. | 89% |
| Manage and treat common health problems, such as infections, influenza or pneumonia, as well as serious, chronic, and complex illnesses, in adolescents, adults, and the elderly. | 89% |
| Provide and manage long-term, comprehensive medical care, including diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases, for adult patients in an office or hospital. | 88% |
| Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients. | 88% |
| Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention. | 87% |
| Make diagnoses when different illnesses occur together or in situations where the diagnosis may be obscure. | 86% |
| Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary. | 85% |
| Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary. | 85% |
| Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results. | 84% |
| Provide consulting services to other doctors caring for patients with special or difficult problems. | 82% |
| Advise surgeon of a patient's risk status and recommend appropriate intervention to minimize risk. | 81% |
| Immunize patients to protect them from preventable diseases. | 81% |
| Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff. | 76% |
| Conduct research to develop or test medications, treatments, or procedures to prevent or control disease or injury. | 73% |
| Operate on patients to remove, repair, or improve functioning of diseased or injured body parts and systems. | 73% |
| Plan, implement, or administer health programs in hospitals, businesses, or communities for prevention and treatment of injuries or illnesses. | 64% |
| Prepare government or organizational reports on birth, death, and disease statistics, workforce evaluations, or the medical status of individuals. | 61% |
