Occupations: Physicians
Physicians
Overview of the profession:
Physicians are integral to the healthcare system, serving as the frontline in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. Their expertise enables them to understand the complex interplay between bodily systems and apply this knowledge in their practice, whether through prescribing medication, performing surgeries, or providing preventative care advice. Beyond their medical duties, physicians also significantly impact emotional and psychological well-being, supporting and reassuring patients during challenging times. Michigan licensed physicians earn a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine and complete a three to seven-year residency program before applying for licensure. Physicians can also earn a Board Certification or Fellowship-Trained designation, which involves additional training in a medical specialty. Physicians work in various healthcare settings and practice in clinical and non-clinical roles. Clinically, physicians work in hospitals or physician offices. Physicians practice in non-clinical roles at universities and research centers. Due to their ubiquity, the many diverse specialties, and their extensive training and knowledge, physicians are indispensable within healthcare systems.
MHC Insight collapsed 17 physician subspecialties into one physician group for clarity of analysis surrounding the physician labor force. The physician subspecialties included under the physician grouping are Anesthesiologists, Cardiologists, Dermatologists, Emergency Medicine Physicians, Family Medicine Physicians, General Internal Medicine Physicians, Neurologists, OBGYNs, Ophthalmologists (Except Pediatric), Orthopedic Surgeons (Except Pediatric), General Pediatricians, Pediatric Surgeons, Pathologists, Psychiatrists, Radiologists, All Other Surgeons, All Other Physicians.
Policy Highlights
Includes recent proposed legislation
Current Physician Workforce Data
We've provided the latest data from Lightcast below. Click on the images to enlarge them and review them in further detail.
2024 Hourly Wages
10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$45.93 | $74.01 | $131.44 | $154.79 | $222.41 |
Top Posted Job Titles
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OB/GYN Physicians
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Physicians
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Primary Care Physicians
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Family Medicine Physicians
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Emergency Medicine Physicians
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Psychiatrists
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Gastroenterology Physicians/Gastroenterologists
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Hospitalists
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Anesthesiologists
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OB/GYNs
Index Ranking
Ranked 2nd (out of 36) "healthiest" profession according to the 2024 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index.
Learn more here.
2024 Employment: 29,543
Projected 2034 Employment: 29,927 (+1%)
Highlighted Workforce Initiatives
Name: Doctors for Tomorrow
Prosperity Region: 9
Description: University of Michigan's Doctors of Tomorrow Foundations program pairs high school freshmen with first-year medical students to provide exposure to the medical field through monthly sessions at the University of Michigan. Following freshman year, Doctors of Tomorrow students are able to continue growing their skills and expanding their network of mentors with additional programming throughout high school in the Doctors of Tomorrow Rising curriculum. For students who matriculate at the University of Michigan, Doctors of Tomorrow Succeed provides further educational opportunities and support. The goal of the program is to increase the number of medical professionals that are from diverse and/or marginalized backgrounds.
Name: Readying Youth Scientists for Excellence in Medicine, Health Equity and Discovery (RYSE MED) Program
Prosperity Region: 10
Description: The RYSE MED (Readying Youth Scientists for Excellence in Medicine, Health Equity and Discovery) program is a 6-week summer program housed at Henry Ford Health. The program is for underrepresented or underresourced metro Detroit high school upperclassmen who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Some of the activities that students participate in are shadowing physicians and learning medical skills, healthcare career exploration, developing college success skills, creating a presentation about a topic in health equity and developing long-term mentor relationships with current college students who have health-related majors and with researchers & physicians. The goal of the program is to help students with diverse backgrounds become healthcare professionals in the Detroit-area in the future.
Name: Promoting Reflection and Individual Growth Through Support and Mentoring (PRISM)
Prosperity Region: 10
Description: The "Promoting Reflection and Individual Growth through Support and Mentoring" or PRISM program at Oakland University's William Beaumont School of Medicine is a program that teaches future physicians about personal growth, wellness and career development over their 4 years. The goal of the program is to support and mentor medical school students so that they can prepare for their careers and develop resiliency to ultimately become physicians. Components of PRISM include readings and reflection, faculty mentoring groups, career development and emotional skill-building.
Career Pathway
What is needed to become a licensed physician in Michigan?
To become a licensed physician in Michigan, individuals must first complete their bachelor's degree in any program or field, take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), and apply to medical school. Upon acceptance, individuals complete four years of education (three if in an accelerated program), during which they decide which specialty of medicine they would like to complete their residency in after medical school. Individuals who would like to be board-certified must complete a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Once the residency is complete, individuals may choose to complete an additional fellowship or apply for licensure in the state.
What is the difference between a Board Certified Doctor and a Fellowship-Trained Doctor?
Board Certified Doctors have completed a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). During their final year of residency, doctors apply to take a board certification exam, which shows a mastery of the individual's medical specialty. In comparison, fellowship-trained doctors complete an additional training program in a subspeciality of medicine after completion of their residency. Fellowship programs are also accredited by the ACGME, allowing fellowship-trained doctors to apply for board certification.
Featured Resources
MiDOCS
MIDOCs is a state and federally-funded program expanding graduate medical education residency positions in select specialties to recruit and retain physicians in underserved areas of Michigan. MIDOCs residencies may feature a variety of enhanced curricular elements in areas such as ambulatory care, quality improvement, population health, interprofessional collaboration, and care of diverse and underserved populations.
