A Day in the Life of an Endocrinologist

Road to Endocrinology

Endocrinologists are licensed physicians who have earned an undergraduate and medical degree. They also complete three to four years of residency, learning the specific practice of diagnosing and treating hormone issues. Due to the wide range of problems caused by hormonal deficiencies, endocrinologists train across various disciplines, including oncology and radiology. They earn an average salary of $221,400 a year, according to the American Medical Group Association. A compensation report by Medscape shows that women endocrinologists earn an average of 6 percent less than their male counterparts, but that percentage has decreased each year.

Private Practice Duties

If you choose to operate a private practice, your days will generally be predictable. You can set your own office schedule, though doctors' offices are generally open during normal business hours. You must supervise your staff, ensuring that they collect necessary insurance and payment information. But the majority of your day will consist of patient interactions. The American Diabetes Association provides the four general tasks of an endocrinology appointment. First, you ask questions and do a medical history assessment. You then physically examine your patient and collect blood samples for diagnosis of hormonal deficiencies. Then you provide a plan of continuous treatment. As a private practitioner, you perform all or some of these steps for each patient you see in a typical day.

Who's the Patient

The daily duties of an endocrinologist can vary, depending on the doctor's specialty. Reproductive endocrinologists see patients having trouble conceiving. In addition to general examination duties, you may also perform an ultrasound or pelvic examination on your patient to assist with diagnosing hormone condition. Pediatric endocrinologists deal with growth concerns in children, according to Dr. Ananya Mandal's article "What is an Endocrinologist?" In this specialty, you'll need to incorporate child-friendly techniques into your daily routine and take an extra dose of patience each morning.

Performing Surgeries

Some endocrinologists undertake additional training to become thyroid surgeons. In this specialty, you'll spend your typical day inside a hospital examining patients and preparing them for surgery. You'll also direct nurses and resident doctors throughout the day. Performing surgery will be your major duty. After conducting operations, you monitor your patients and complete postoperative procedures. Operations can take hours to complete, so surgeons generally work nontraditional hours. You also have to be available for on-call emergencies.