Preventive Medicine Physician

Your Fit

Income

$227K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

3.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Preventive Medicine Physician?

A Preventive Medicine Physician specializes in promoting health and well-being while preventing disease, disability, and premature death. They focus on understanding health risks and implementing strategies to prevent illness in both individuals and populations.

Sample job titles:

Occupational Medicine Physician, Physician, Public Health Officer, Public Health Physician

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Preventive Medicine Physician.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Preventive Medicine Physician earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Preventive Medicine Physician.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$86K per year	NA per year	$227K per year	NA per year	$440K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $162K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Preventive Medicine Physician do?

Work environment

Preventive Medicine Physicians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, healthcare organizations, public health departments, academic institutions, and research facilities. They may also work in policy development, corporate wellness programs, and global health organizations. This field often involves interdisciplinary collaboration and may include community outreach activities.

Quick task list

Conducts public health research and epidemiological studies.
Develops and implements disease prevention and health promotion programs.
Advises on public health policy and health education initiatives.
Collaborates with other healthcare professionals to integrate preventive practices.
Monitors and addresses community health trends.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Public Health and General Preventive Medicine: Focusing on community health and preventive strategies on a population level.
Occupational Medicine: Concentrating on the prevention and management of workplace-related injuries and illnesses.
Aerospace Medicine: Specializing in the health management of pilots, astronauts, and aircrew.
Clinical Informatics: Using data and technology to improve patient care and preventive strategies.

Description

Preventive Medicine Physicians play a crucial role in healthcare by focusing on disease prevention and health promotion, rather than treatment after the onset of illness. Their work involves understanding the complex interactions between lifestyle, environment, genetics, and other factors that influence health. These physicians use their expertise to develop, implement, and evaluate health policies and programs that aim to improve overall health outcomes for individuals and communities.

This field requires a strong foundation in public health principles, epidemiology, health behavior, and environmental health. Preventive Medicine Physicians often work in interdisciplinary teams, requiring excellent communication and collaboration skills. They need to be adept at interpreting and utilizing public health data to guide their strategies and decisions.

A career in preventive medicine is dynamic and multifaceted, offering opportunities to impact health on a large scale. Physicians in this field can influence public health policy, contribute to scientific research, and lead initiatives that make lasting changes in communities and populations.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to the improvement of public health and wellness.
The opportunity to work on diverse projects ranging from research to policy development.
The intellectual challenge of solving complex public health issues.
Making a tangible difference in community health outcomes.

You might make a good Preventive Medicine Physician if you are...

Passionate about improving health at a community or population level.
Interested in public health, epidemiology, and health policy.
Skilled in critical thinking and data analysis.
A strong communicator, able to convey complex health information effectively.
Motivated by the challenge of preventing disease and promoting wellness.

Pros:

Broad impact on public health and wellness.
Diverse career opportunities across various sectors.
Intellectual fulfillment from addressing complex health issues.

Cons:

Lengthy and expensive educational path.
May involve complex, multi-faceted public health challenges.
Less direct patient interaction compared to other medical specialties.

How to become a Preventive Medicine Physician

Typical education

Becoming a Preventive Medicine Physician typically involves completing a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, and a residency in preventive medicine, which usually lasts 2-4 years. In total, this equates to around 10-12 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Chemistry to build a foundation in the sciences.
Mathematics, particularly statistics, for data analysis.
Social Studies or Health Education to understand societal health issues.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering in health-related community service.
Participating in science clubs or health-focused organizations.
Engaging in projects or initiatives related to public health or wellness.

Preparation after high school

Completing a bachelor's degree in a science-related field, with a focus on pre-medical studies.
Attending medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.
Completing a residency program in preventive medicine, which may include obtaining a master's degree in public health (MPH).
Obtaining a medical license and board certification in preventive medicine.

More resources

American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) - Provides resources, advocacy, and continuing education opportunities for preventive medicine professionals.
Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) - Offers educational resources and collaboration opportunities in preventive medicine and public health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - A key resource for public health information and research.
American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) - Information about board certification in various preventive medicine specialties.
Public Health Online - Offers information and resources for students and professionals interested in public health careers.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.