Just as important as choosing a medical degree is deciding on the next step in that journey: becoming a general practitioner or a specialist? In this article, you'll understand all the differences between these two paths, so you can start thinking about which one you want for your career.
Choosing a post-medical specialization is a question that affects many students and is an extremely important decision .
Undergraduate studies are one of the best times to explore specializations and decide whether you will delve deeper into a specific area or choose to remain a generalist . After all, by doing this at this time, you finish your course already knowing what your next step should be .
However, regardless of your decision, it's important to know that both are fundamental to the healthcare system. But what differentiates? How does each one work, and what should you consider when choosing? Find out below.
What does a general practitioner do?
We call "general practitioners" those doctors who have completed medical school but have not completed a residency or postgraduate program that would grant them a specialist title.
And what about the specialist doctor?
To become a specialist, a doctor must complete a medical residency or obtain a specialization in a specific area through a board certification exam. To prepare for this exam, courses offered by universities or other educational institutions – such as postgraduate specialization courses – are crucial.
There are 55 specialties officially recognized by the Joint Committee of Specialties (CME), composed of the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM), the National Commission of Medical Residency (CNRM), and the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB). Among them are:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Orthopedics
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
- Ophthalmology
- Psychiatry
How important is each one?
Both general practitioners and specialists play essential roles in providing healthcare.
In fact, they often work in a complementary. A common example is when a patient is initially seen by a general practitioner but needs to be referred to a specialist.
In summary, the generalist:
- It performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient;
- It treats more common and easily identifiable conditions , such as colds;
- It also works in emergencies, childbirths , and intensive care;
- SCOPE OF WORK: typically works in emergency rooms, health centers, and general clinics.
Therefore, it plays an important role in family medicine and is essential in areas with less access to specialized medical care.
The expert, on the other hand:
- Possesses in-depth knowledge in a specific area of Medicine;
- For this reason, it handles more complex;
- He is the one who requests detailed examinations of each area, in order to better understand each case;
- From this, you can discover the cause and determine the appropriate treatment ;
- AREAS OF PRACTICE: specialized offices, private clinics, hospitals and referral centers.
What is the market like for each one?
According to the 2020 survey on Medical Demographics in Brazil, of the 478,010 doctors in the country, 61.3% (293,064) are specialists, while 38.7% (184,946) are general practitioners. Most specialists are concentrated in the Southeast, while the North and Northeast have fewer of these professionals.
The most common medical in Brazil are:
- Medical Clinic (11.3%)
- Pediatrics (10.1%)
- General Surgery (8.9%)
- Gynecology and Obstetrics (7.7%)
Conversely, fields such as Neurology, Rheumatology, and Geriatrics have few practicing professionals.
What is important to consider when choosing to be a generalist or a specialist?
The main difference between a general practitioner and a specialist lies in their training and area of practice . A general practitioner completes a medical degree , while someone seeking a clinical specialty must complete a residency or specialization program .
However, this choice should be based on your interests, your professional goals , and the lifestyle you aspire to have.
Therefore, investing in a specialization, regardless of the area, enhances your resume and opens doors in the job market. After all, there are plenty of opportunities to work in clinics, hospitals, or even put your entrepreneurial side into practice and create your own practice .
So, if you want to grow and even become a leader in medicine, specialization might be the right choice.
Interested? Come learn more about the curriculum of the medical postgraduate courses at Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic; this could be the start of a great career!
