Psychosomatic Medicine Physician - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA psychosomatic medicine physician works with patients that have very complex medical problems that are made more complicated or more intense because of the emotional state of the patient.
Psychosomatic medicine physicians focus on the mental health standing of the patient and how this can have an effect on the disease or the condition as well as the medical or surgical procedure and subsequent recovery or rehabilitation. Medicine has long recognized the impact of the emotions and mental health status of the patient on his or her recovery, and psychosomatic medicine physicians work to address this involved linkage.
As a psychosomatic medicine physician you are both diagnosing and treating both physical symptoms and mental health disorders. A psychosomatic medicine physician must be able to work very closely with patients to help to decrease emotional issues that may be contributing to the physical problems that the patient is experiencing.
A psychosomatic medicine physician must have excellent communication skills and an ability to work with patients with both severe medical and mental health illnesses. A psychosomatic medicine physician will often have a long-term doctor-patient relationship with the client and will see patients for multiple sessions. Often psychosomatic medicine physicians work in private practice but may also work with the treatment team in educating the team about the emotional impact on the physical or medical condition.
A psychosomatic medicine physician usually has standard office hours and is rarely required to attend emergency issues or respond to crisis calls. Some psychosomatic medicine physicians may work with managed care organizations or HMOs but most will be in private practice.
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Career RequirementsA psychosomatic medicine physician has the full training of all other doctors. This means that he or she will have completed an undergraduate degree as well as a four-year medical degree. After completing Board Certification exams the physician can complete a one or two year residency in psychosomatic medicine at a specialized treatment facility. The Mayo Clinic has one of the most renowned psychosomatic medicine fellowships and is it one year in duration.
Some psychosomatic medicine physicians may also be psychiatrists but this is not always necessary. A strong psychiatry or mental health background is considered essential prior to the fellowship.
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Job OutlookThe United States Department of Labor indicates that the demand for all physicians and medical staff will continue to increase at least until the year 2014. As more patients are treated the need for skilled individual physicians and specialists to deal with the complex issues of mental health and illness.
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Career TrackThose psychosomatic medicine physicians with experience working in hospital settings may choose to move into management or supervisory roles within the facility. Some psychosomatic medicine physicians may choose to start private practices once they have established themselves working with other physicians. Some psychosomatic medicine physicians may also return to teaching or work as researchers in this interesting combination of mental health and medical health fields.
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CompensationDepending on the level of training and expertise of the psychosomatic medicine physician the average salary can range from $158,000 to $235,000. Psychosomatic medicine physicians in larger centers or those working in private care facilities may make more per year than those working in government run hospitals or treatment centers.
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