It would take a miracle to live your adult life without ever having to visit the doctor. For such a normal, routine part of being a human being, however, how much do you actually know about the profession?
These five medical facts are pieces of trivia that you probably never knew. Hidden in the nuggets are fascinating pieces of information about how doctors earn a living, how doctors break into the medical profession, where medical experts purchase their supplies from and when doctors are celebrated across the United States.
1. Doctors Work More Average Hours than Other Americans
Compared to the average American, doctors work more hours per day and week. Part of this is down to how long they train for – 40,000 hours of training is the equivalent of 20 years of full-time work. Then, for the remainder of their working lives, doctors work around 1.5 times more than the majority of other Americans.
It is common knowledge that being a doctor is a tiring and testing job, but now the statistics prove it. To work the same number of hours as a doctor does in 36 years, the average American has to work for over half a century. If that doesn’t give you new-found respect, nothing will.
2. Medical School Debt Is So High Many Doctors Work an Extra Job
While doctors are among the highest earners in society (more on that later), their debts are often so high that they are forced into working additional professions alongside.
In medical school, debts can soar and the taking out of private loans is a daunting prospect. For this reason, some doctors choose to work multiple other jobs while they train in order to survive without placing themselves in further financial danger.
3. Doctors Are Among the Highest Earners in Society
Freshly qualified doctors earn around $60,000 per year. From there, salaries can increase upwards to around the $150,000-$200,000 mark and even higher for specialists.
Considering the services they provide and the tough years of training – often while strapped for cash – this is generally perceived as fair reward.
4. Medical Supplies Often Come From One Trusted Supplier
You know where doctors come from, but what about their supplies? Medical practices build strong relationships with suppliers so that they do not have to purchase supplies such as cleaning products, needles and first aid equipment from multiple places.
Top providers of GP supplies have years of experience, quick delivery times and low prices. Next time you are receiving treatment, then, pay thanks to those trusty suppliers.
5. March 30th is National Doctors’ Day
This date was chosen as it is the anniversary of the first ever use of general anesthesia in surgery, all the way back in 1842. It is the same date in Australia but varies elsewhere around the globe.
This day recognizes and celebrates how doctors have affected the lives of millions, with cards and flowers sent around medical staff by their practices. It is also commonplace for flowers been laid at the graves of former doctors and physicians.
