Preventive Medicine Physicians
What is a Preventive Medicine Physician?
Preventive Medicine Physicians are medical doctors who focus on the health and well-being of individuals and populations through the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. They utilize a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to identify risk factors and implement strategies aimed at preventing illnesses before they occur. This specialty encompasses various domains including epidemiology, health promotion, behavioral science, and environmental health. Preventive Medicine Physicians may work in diverse settings, such as hospitals, clinics, research institutions, public health agencies, or corporate environments, where they develop and implement health policies and initiatives. They often engage in community outreach and education, advocating for lifestyle changes and preventive care practices that can significantly reduce the incidence and impact of chronic diseases. Ultimately, their goal is to improve public health outcomes by enabling individuals to make informed health choices and fostering healthier communities.
Tasks
- Direct or manage prevention programs in specialty areas such as aerospace, occupational, infectious disease, and environmental medicine.
- Document or review comprehensive patients' histories with an emphasis on occupation or environmental risks.
- Identify groups at risk for specific preventable diseases or injuries.
- Perform epidemiological investigations of acute and chronic diseases.
- Supervise or coordinate the work of physicians, nurses, statisticians, or other professional staff members.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software
- Presentation software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Spreadsheet software
- Medical software
Tools Used
- Eyewashers or eye wash stations
- Mobile medical services automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles
- Electronic medical thermometers
- Decontamination shower
- Medical head hoods
Knowledge
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Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
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Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Skills
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Post-doctoral training
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Doctoral degree
Work Activities
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Detailed Work Activities
- Manage healthcare operations.
- Direct healthcare delivery programs.
- Gather medical information from patient histories.
- Record patient medical histories.
- Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
Work Interests
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Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.