Physician

Public Health Physicians

Physicians who choose to work in public health departments and facilities provide individual clinical care, but they also devote some of their time to developing public health programs and initiatives. Their credentials as medical doctors uniquely qualify them to advise and author public health initiatives and provide community-wide medical advice and education. Physicians working in public health can also choose to work on specific campaigns to promote preventive
care.

Main Responsibilities

Provide primary or ancillary medical care to patients that suffer from a specific chronic illness, come from an underserved community or are members of a high-risk group. In addition to seeing patients, public health physicians often collect data, research and analysis on a specific health issue like diabetes, addiction or mental illness. Identify gaps in community health education and access. Develop and oversee regional or statewide initiatives aimed improve the health of a community.