Doctor (Medical Practitioner)

Diagnose illnesses, disorders, injuries, and prescribe treatment.

Doctor (Medical Practitioner)

Doctor Medical Practitioner

Roles and responsibilities

To qualify as a doctor (medical practitioner):

Step 1
Complete any undergraduate bachelor’s course {Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)} as your first degree.

Step 2
Complete the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine to qualify as a doctor (medical practitioner).

Refer to the Study Pathways to the right for more information.

As a medical practitioner, you could work in private practice on your own; in partnership with another medical practitioner; in a group practice; in community health centres and in public hospitals. There are opportunities for you to work in cities, suburbs and rural townships.

Medical practitioners:

  • examine the patient to determine the nature of the disorder or illness, and record the patient's medical information; order, perform and analyse laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic images and procedures
  • provide overall care for patients and prescribe and administer treatments, medications and other remedial measures
  • aid in the prevention of diseases and disorders by advising patients on diet, exercise, hygiene and general health
  • prescribe and administer medication and inoculate patients to prevent infectious or contagious diseases
  • provide pre and post-natal care
  • report births, deaths and notifiable diseases to government authorities
  • arrange for patients to be admitted to hospital
  • and refer patients to other medical specialists and exchange relevant medical details.

Source: myFuture

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Roles and responsibilities

To qualify as a doctor (medical practitioner):

Step 1
Complete any undergraduate bachelor’s course {Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)} as your first degree.

Step 2
Complete the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine to qualify as a doctor (medical practitioner).

Refer to the Study Pathways to the right for more information.

As a medical practitioner, you could work in private practice on your own; in partnership with another medical practitioner; in a group practice; in community health centres and in public hospitals. There are opportunities for you to work in cities, suburbs and rural townships.

Medical practitioners:

  • examine the patient to determine the nature of the disorder or illness, and record the patient's medical information; order, perform and analyse laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic images and procedures
  • provide overall care for patients and prescribe and administer treatments, medications and other remedial measures
  • aid in the prevention of diseases and disorders by advising patients on diet, exercise, hygiene and general health
  • prescribe and administer medication and inoculate patients to prevent infectious or contagious diseases
  • provide pre and post-natal care
  • report births, deaths and notifiable diseases to government authorities
  • arrange for patients to be admitted to hospital
  • and refer patients to other medical specialists and exchange relevant medical details.

Source: myFuture

Undergraduate Courses To Become

Doctor Medical Practitioner

Recommended major/s to pursue this career
Relevant majors include:
Aboriginal student smiling Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing student in front of skeleton Anatomy and Human Biology student Anthropology and Sociology cell Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
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Undergraduate Courses To Become Doctor Medical Practitioner

Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing

Understanding the origins and strategies for more equitable health and wellbeing for Aboriginal communities is the leading health issue in Australia.

Anatomy and Human Biology

A major in Anatomy and Human Biology will let you discover how your body works, why it works that way, where people come from and how we are related to one another.

Anthropology and Sociology

Anthropology teaches you about the nature of humanity and the many different cultures of the world.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemists and molecular biologists are interested in the molecular functions of all living organisms from the smallest bacterium to the largest whale.

Chemistry

Chemistry is central to virtually all areas of modern science and technology, providing a foundation for fields such as biochemistry, chemical engineering, food science, materials science, geology, nanotechnology and pharmacology.

Exercise and Health

If you are you passionate about exercise and health and want to spread the word and educate others about keeping fit and being healthy, then this major is for you.

Genetics

Genetics is the study of biologically inherited traits as diverse as those that cause human disease, or allow a rare plant to live in only one isolated spot in the South West, or result in a desirable characteristic found in a domestic animal used in agriculture.

Indigenous Knowledge History and Heritage

A major in Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage will allow you to explore the worldview and historical experiences of Indigenous peoples in Australia as well as critically analyse Western disciplinary constructs around Indigenous knowledges and peoples.

Microbiology and Immunology

Microbes are organisms too small to be seen without a microscope and Microbiology is the study of these organisms and the role they play in health and disease and the environment.

Neuroscience

A major in Neuroscience will allow you to explore how nervous systems work and how nervous system function can be restored after disease and injury to the brain.

Pharmacology

A major in Pharmacology provides a modern understanding of how medicines produce their effects on the body and how such knowledge is used to alleviate suffering caused by disease.

Physiology

Do you differ from a robot? Learn about the molecular and cellular machinery that makes up your body, as well as how it works in everyday life, and what causes disease.

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

With Pathology and Laboratory Medicine you can explore the causes and mechanisms of human disease.

Psychological Science

Psychological Science is the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour, and is a challenging and wide-ranging discipline.

Psychology in Society

Psychology in Society is a fascinating and diverse area of study that touches upon many aspects of daily life.

Science Communication

If you are creative, love science and want to work with people, Science Communication is an ideal major for you. Science communicators work to facilitate public engagement with scientific issues.
Postgraduate Courses To Become

Doctor Medical Practitioner

Coursework courses to pursue this career
Professional training
After completion of the Doctor of Medicine and working in the public hospital system for two years (internship and residency), doctors interested in becoming a General Practitioner can apply to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to undertake further training and ultimately receive Fellowship which takes another three years of study while working as a doctor.

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