Healthcare careers

Perhaps you are interested in becoming a physician. This chapter is a place to start your research. It will begin with a brief overview of various healthcare careers, and then will focus on that of physicians - reasons to consider this career, reasons to be cautious, and the steps needed to get there. 

Healthcare Marketing and Communications Council. 1525 Valley Ctr. Pkwy., Ste. 150, Bethlehem, PA 18017, U.S.A. Phone +1610-868-8299, Fax +1610-868-8387. E-mail info hmc-coun-cil.org. URL http //www.hmc-council.org. Founded 1934. 1600 members. Seeks to enhance the professional development of its members by providing continuing education and career development opportunities. Conducts industry-focused seminars and events throughout the year. Publishes annual Membership Directory. Formerly Pharmaceutical Advertising Council. Web site provides membership information and calendar of events. 

The US healthcare industry, which I describe as a 2.1 trillion cottage industry, is composed of many facets, which can be categorized into five sub-sectors patient care, suppliers, service/support, new technology development, and regulatory affairs, each of them having numerous career branches, as described below... 

Do you have the feeling that this career path might not be for you because you have a strong independent business spirit You need to know that healthcare is also known for people setting up their own businesses to provide these services. Independent contractors and specialty companies have thrived in this regulated environment, much like entrepreneurship itself, which is alive and vibrant in healthcare. 

It is clear that there is a negative perception of error in hospitals. A fear of discussing errors is probably ingrained into healthcare providers memories early in their careers when they are in medical school and there is a lot of pressure not to make errors. Leape (1994) argues that errors are assumed to be due to... 

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