Being a doctor is a difficult profession requiring years of training and sacrifice. To become a doctor, one must spend around 11-16 years after high school to attend undergraduate education, medical school, residency, or other specialized education. Once in the field, doctors need to work long hours and have the weight of a patient’s well-being on their shoulders. Doctors need to deal with all kinds of scenarios and be accountable for the patient’s care and condition. However, not all medical professionals are the same. While all professions require organization, adaptability, and adeptness, some may be less liable than others. For example, the work of a dermatologist prescribing skin products to a patient is much different than the work of a surgeon in the operating room. That said, here are the top five hardest medical professions, considering factors such as necessary education, responsibility, and complexity. Please note that all annual salary figures were obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and that all information regarding years of education (after high school) was obtained from Cleveland Clinic.
Neurosurgeon
Average Annual Salary: $271,470
Years Of Education: 14-16 years
Imagine performing surgery on the most complicated organ in the body: the brain. Imagine having to navigate through all the different structures in the brain: blood vessels, protective tissues, and nerves, where even a minor slip in focus can be devastating.
According to USMLE Preps, Neurosurgery is one of the “pinnacle specialties in medicine,” and focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord. According to the Cleveland Clinic, neurosurgeons can treat many common neurologic disorders such as brain tumors, herniated disks, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, spinal fractures, and much more. Although “surgery” is in its name, neurosurgeons offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Neurosurgeons must have exceptional fine motor skills, high levels of concentration, and effective communication skills with patients and professionals in the operating room. In addition, they must always be willing to learn more, as understanding about the brain can change and become more advanced in the future.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Average Annual Salary: $423,250
Years Of Education: 15-19 years
What about performing surgery on a beating heart, one of the most critical organs for our survival? That’s a scenario that cardiothoracic surgeons face almost daily. The high complexity of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, high risks of surgical operations, and high levels of pressure make the profession one of the most difficult.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a cardiothoracic surgeon, unlike a cardiac surgeon, operates on any organ (not just your heart) in your chest, such as your lungs, esophagus, and trachea. Cardiothoracic surgeons can treat many issues, such as lung cancer, heart failures, and chest injuries, and may perform heart or lung transplants. However, before surgery even starts, these surgeons perform tests like X-rays, CT scans, MRI imaging, and ultrasound imaging to diagnose conditions. Cardiothoracic surgeons must have a thorough knowledge of the various organs and structures within the chest, excellent hand-eye coordination, and an ability to work calmly but efficiently during operations.
Anesthesiologist
Average Annual Salary: $339,470
Years Of Education: 13-15 years
Next, imagine working next to the main surgeon in the operating room, delivering doses of anesthesia to patients. Imagine working in a profession where a slight difference in dosage quantity could mean life or death. For anesthesiologists, this is the liability they bear every day. Anesthesiologists are constantly under pressure and must exercise extreme caution in everything they do.
Anesthesiologists, as the name implies, deliver anesthesia (a medical treatment that keeps patients from feeling pain) before surgeries and other operations. Long before surgery begins, anesthesiologists assess a patient’s health to determine the safest anesthesia plan for the surgery. Contrary to popular belief, the work of an anesthesiologist does not stop after the patient is sedated; anesthesiologists also have requirements during and after operations. During surgeries, the anesthesiologist monitors vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing and adjusts anesthesia levels if necessary. Afterward, according to WebMD, the anesthesiologists may help decide when it is safe for a patient to return home or may prescribe medication to help control pain at home.
Orthopedic Surgeons
Average Annual Salary: $378,250
Years Of Education: up to 14 years
How about a medical profession where being physically fit is a must? Orthopedic surgeons fit that category because their profession requires more physical strength compared to other professions. Orthopedic surgeons must be able to lift and hold heavy objects and operate with heavy machinery.
Orthopedic surgeons deal with conditions and issues in the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, muscles, and joints in the body. Orthopedic surgeons treat a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, bone cancer, tendinitis, scoliosis, and sports injuries. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, orthopedic surgeons also offer nonsurgical treatment options, such as pain medication, or physical therapy before looking into surgical operations. Orthopedic surgeons require mechanical skill, flexibility, and physical stamina to be successful in the field.
Trauma Surgeon
Average Annual Salary: $343,990
Years Of Education: 13-15 years
Last but not least, imagine being the doctor in the emergency room, operating on all different types of people: gunshot victims, fall victims, and car accident victims. Imagine being on edge 24/7, having to operate in all different types of conditions. The unpredictability and chaotic nature make it an emotionally and physically demanding job.
According to Cleveland Clinic, Trauma surgeons treat all different types of conditions, including blunt force trauma injuries, penetrating trauma injuries, burn injuries, and any other emergencies. Like the other professions above, trauma surgeons need to have rapid decision-making skills, the ability to operate under high levels of stress, and effective communication skills. Despite the difficulty of this profession, it is one of the most rewarding careers one can have—constantly saving lives.
Overall, the above professions require the utmost effort, attention to detail, and meticulousness to perform daily. Most of these five professions encounter life-or-death situations frequently and must be able to make quick decisions under high amounts of stress. In addition, many people in these fields must perform surgical operations for hours on end without losing concentration and have excellent communication and collaboration skills. Not to mention, these are some of the hardest medical specialties to even get into due to their competitive and demanding nature. All of these professionals must go through undergraduate studies, medical school, and additional specialized internships or residencies. While their day-to-day work may be difficult and stressful, they are highly compensated and take great pride in benefiting someone’s life.
