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Students graduating medical school often recite an oath as they cross the symbolic threshold between student and physician. 

Many of these students, including students at the David Geffen School of Medicine, forgo modern alternative oaths in favor of altered versions of the Hippocratic Oath, many of which barely resemble the ancient text that invokes gods and goddesses, including Apollo. 

Why exactly do words inspired by an ancient Greek physician still resonate with medical students born many lifetimes after he perished? 

The Hippocratic Oath Reemerges  

The Hippocratic Oath hasn’t always been popular. The oath enjoyed a renaissance in the middle of the 20th century. According to historical studies, use of a Hippocratic Oath in U.S. medical schools jumped from just 17.6% in 1928 to 74% in 1958. 

Many believe renewed interest in an oath credited to the “Father of Medicine” sprung from the atrocities of human experimentation, sometimes at the hands of physicians and scientists, during World War II. Post-war reckoning piqued interest in the ethics of medicine and led to the World Medical Association’s adoption of the Declaration of Geneva in 1948. 

This declaration breathed new life into the Hippocratic Oath’s tenets of patient responsibility and service to humanity, inspiring medical leaders, including Dr. Louis Lasagna and former David Geffen School of Medicine Dean Dr. Sherman Mellinkoff, to create new patient-focused versions of the old oath.

Modern Resonance in Digital Times 

All the Hippocratic Oath’s iterations celebrate the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship. 

Dr. Christine Thang, a 2015 graduate of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said the oath is a reminder that a physician’s job is to “treat not just the diseases we encounter but to think of each individual patient as a whole person.”

The oath’s patient-first philosophy can be timelessly and universally applied as the specifics of medical practice evolve. As medical statisticians work to uphold HIPAA, they’re upholding Hippocratic ideals. As trainees practice high-risk surgeries using advanced simulation, they’re putting patients first. 

In short, the oath’s enduring resonance doesn’t lie in its prescriptive specificity but in its timeless underlying values. As medical practices continue to shift, the legacy of the original Hippocratic Oath will surely live on.

Observe an emergency room (ER) in action and you might at first think you’re watching an exercise in chaos. Watch longer and you’ll notice carefully controlled patterns, a life-saving dance that relies on cooperation and collaboration between different healthcare professionals. 

Trauma surgeons and emergency room physicians (also known as emergency medical specialists) both play major roles in the ER. Both respond to emergency situations with the ultimate goal of saving lives and limiting the lasting effects of illness or trauma.

However, medical students considering both careers should understand how the two roles differ. 

Brant Putnam, MD, a trauma surgeon for the past 15 years, Professor of Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Chief of the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, explains the key differentiators below. 

Expectations in the ER 

Emergency room physicians treat all ER patients, regardless of illness or injury type. “They’re going to be able to take care of patients who come in with the early stages of a heart attack or stroke, or a patient who has been injured after a trauma,” Dr. Putnam explains.

ER physicians may intubate a patient, start blood transfusions and order testing — all while assessing the patient and making decisions about their care. “They’re very well trained in that initial stabilization and the majority of patients with minor trauma are largely managed by emergency room physicians,” says Dr. Putnam.

By contrast, trauma surgeons get called into the ER only when patients need surgery to prevent long-lasting or permanent damage or if they’re experiencing specific types of trauma, such as a drop in blood pressure after an accident. Furthermore, a trauma surgeon’s care extends beyond the ER. These physicians often assume primary responsibility for patients admitted to the hospital for long-term care. 

Educational Paths 

ER physicians and surgeons start off with the same core medical school training. Specialization comes after graduation, during residency. Trauma surgeons typically train in residency longer than ER physicians. 

“It’s a significant commitment to become a trauma surgeon,” Dr. Putnam says. “It’s usually a five- or six-year residency for general surgery, followed by a year or two of surgical critical care/trauma fellowship. Emergency medicine residency lasts three or four years, depending on the program.”

Patient Contact

Another difference between trauma surgeons and ER physicians involves contact with patients. The role of an ER physician is to stabilize and treat patients, recommending further care from specialists if needed. 

Trauma surgeons spend much longer with their patients, caring for them through rehabilitation through discharge from the hospital. 

“I guess it’s really the commitment to taking care of a severely injured patient from the time of arrival through their need for surgery and acute hospitalization that is what makes a trauma surgeon different from an emergency room physician,” Dr. Putnam explains.

A women’s health practice often has obstetricians, gynecologists, and OB/GYNs on their roster of physicians. 

These three different titles may be confusing for medical students considering careers in women’s health. These titles exist because OB/GYN combines two distinct fields, obstetrics and gynecology, which may be practiced separately or in tandem. 

Here is a brief overview of the differences between obstetricians, gynecologists, and OB/GYNs. 

A Focus on Pregnancy and Childbirth 

In general, OB/GYNs, physicians who specialize in both obstetrics and gynecology, focus on women’s health issues both during and outside pregnancy and childbirth. Obstetricians typically focus only on health issues related to pregnancy and childbirth while gynecologists take on the remaining spectrum of health issues affecting women. 

Core Residency Training 

Residents planning to become obstetricians, gynecologists, or OB/GYNs must first train in both obstetrics and gynecology. Trainees typically focus on health in all stages of pregnancy, from preconception to post-pregnancy, and learn about a variety of subjects, including genetics, diagnostics, ultrasonography, reproductive endocrinology, infertility, family planning, gynecologic surgery and gynecologic oncology.

Separate Fields of Practice 

Having trained in both obstetrics and gynecology, new physicians may choose one field or practice both fields as OB/GYNs.

Obstetricians care for women during pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately after delivery. They often work long and unpredictable hours to accommodate the uncertain nature of pregnancy and delivery. 

Gynecologists treat and diagnose diseases related to the female reproductive system during all stages of life, from adolescence to menopause. They conduct cancer screenings, treat urinary tract issues, and more. Gynecologists usually do not deliver babies or treat pregnant women. 

Read about the work of one physician who focuses on the gynecological issue of sexual health →

OB/GYNs focus on the comprehensive range of issues involved in women’s health. Some OB/GYNs even act as primary care physicians. 

Regardless of the field, demand for women’s health practitioners is growing, so students considering any of these fields have plenty of prospects for a fulfilling career.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Pediatricians do more than provide infants, children, and teens comprehensive medical care; these specialized physicians give young patients the foundation they need to maintain lifelong health. Many practically become part of their patients’ families. 

Medical students passionate about taking on the challenges and rewards young patients present will find a variety of pediatric careers to explore. Each career requires residency training in the overall specialty of pediatrics. After that, students may choose to become generalist pediatricians or train to provide highly specific care as pediatric subspecialists.  

Choosing a Pediatric Subspecialty

Medical students considering any pediatric career can expect to study and treat developmental disorders, investigate how genetics influence disease, and provide the proactive care children need to be healthy physically and mentally. 

Each pediatric subspecialty builds on that core foundation, addressing specific medical issues and requiring a particular set of talents and interests. 

Below is an overview of some common pediatric subspecialties.

Neonatology

Neonatologists care for newborns who require intensive care. 

A neonatologist may be called into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at any moment to care for infants born prematurely or with birth defects, infections, and a host of other complications. These specialists also monitor high-risk deliveries and catch potentially threatening issues and anomalies upstream, during pregnancy. 

Read about a day in the life of a neonatologist →

Pediatric Cardiology

Pediatric cardiologists treat heart conditions in pediatric patients of all ages. 

A pediatric cardiologist trains to treat and prevent a range of heart conditions, including pediatric birth defects, diseases associated with childhood obesity, acquired heart diseases (like Kawasaki’s), and rheumatic heart disease. 

Read about one physician’s work in pediatric cardiology →

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Pediatric hematologists/oncologists save and improve the lives of childhood cancer patients. 

Responsible for diagnosing and treating childhood cancer, pediatric oncologists form strong bonds with patients and their families. On any given day, pediatric oncologists might find themselves discussing treatment options with one patient’s family in the morning and then attending a birthday party for a different patient in the evening.

Pediatric Surgery

Pediatric surgeons repair birth defects, mend serious wounds, complete transplantations and perform a range of other complex procedures for pediatric patients of all ages. 

While adult surgeons focus primarily on one area of expertise, pediatric surgeons perform a variety of procedures on patients of all ages. To meet the constantly changing demands of their practice, pediatric surgeons receive extensive training to gain fluency in multiple procedures that incorporate a range of biological systems and surgical techniques. 

Read about a day in the life of a pediatric surgeon →

Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Critical Care

Pediatric emergency physicians see children in need of urgent care as a result of any cause or condition imaginable, including seizures, accidents, poisonings, and more.

In just one day, these agile practitioners need to jump from condition to condition, and they rarely know what to expect next. They typically work in emergency room settings and have access to extensive resources for treating any issue.

Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Pediatric infectious disease specialists care for children sick from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. 

Young and vulnerable, children sometimes suffer complications from well-known illnesses, including measles, rubella, and chickenpox. Pediatric infectious disease specialists pay careful attention to symptoms to identify and treat a range of illnesses to avoid potentially devastating complications. 

Read about a physician who cured a child’s fatal fungal infection →

Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Pediatric palliative care helps children and families manage the emotional and physical demands of a life-threatening illness. 

Palliative care begins at diagnosis to ensure the highest quality of life throughout treatment. If an illness does prove terminal, then palliative care strives to eliminate pain and increase comfort for children suffering from an incurable illness, genetic disorder, or similarly progressive disease.

Pediatric Pulmonology

Pediatric pulmonologists solve medical problems related to the respiratory system. 

These physicians see children of all ages suffering from chronic asthma, cystic fibrosis, apnea, and a range of other diseases that affect the lungs and significantly reduce a child’s quality of life.

Adolescent Medicine

Adolescent medicine specialists help adolescents complete a healthy transition to adulthood 

These physicians address the range of issues particular to growing patients with rapidly changing bodies, balancing mental and physical health as they address concerns related to sexual health, eating disorders, sports medicine, chronic fatigue, and more.

By Kyleigh Roessner and others

Meet doctor A and doctor B. Doctor A has an MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree. Doctor B has a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. They work together at the same general practice. They each spend their days talking to patients, uncovering issues and providing recommendations and treatment plans. They’re both licensed physicians. In fact, one could say the only discernible difference between them is the letters on their diplomas. 

So why are there two degrees—MD and DO—and two training paths for producing licenced physicians who often perform similar roles? More importantly, how can pre-med students choose between the two degrees? 

DO vs. MD: The similarities

Undergraduate path. Undergraduate students pursuing either degree should obtain a bachelor’s degree, complete pre-med coursework and take the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT). Admission to both allopathic medical schools and osteopathic medical schools weighs heavily on test scores and grade-point averages. 

Training length. Both MDs and DOs attend four years of medical school, followed by a residency program that ranges from three to seven years, depending on the specialty.

Licensing. Both MD and DO physicians are licensed by the same state boards and held to the same requirements for practicing medicine. 

Capabilities. Both types of physicians may prescribe medications, treat patients in all 50 states, and pursue careers in any specialty. 

DO vs. MD: The differences

Training focus. Osteopathic schools have a stronger focus on holistic medicine and disease prevention. As the American Osteopathic Association explains, students “receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which is the body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones. DOs use this knowledge to perform osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a series of hands-on techniques used to help diagnose illness or injury and facilitate the body’s natural tendency toward self-healing.” Learning OMT often requires students at osteopathic schools to complete additional hours of coursework beyond the general medical school curriculum. 

Exams. While students pursuing both allopathic and osteopathic degrees take the same state board exams, DO students also take the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) while MD students take the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).

Awareness. While the DO is growing in popularity, the MD is still more common. Osteopathic medical schools educate around 25% of all medical students in the United States. To learn more about the coursework required at allopathic medical schools, check out the curriculum at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.