Acute care physician vs public health physician

The differences between acute care physicians and public health physicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an acute care physician and a public health physician. Additionally, an acute care physician has an average salary of $219,416, which is higher than the $199,316 average annual salary of a public health physician.

The top three skills for an acute care physician include patients, family practice and internal medicine. The most important skills for a public health physician are patients, primary care, and patient care.

Acute care physician vs public health physician overview

	Acute Care Physician	Public Health Physician
Yearly salary	$219,416	$199,316
Hourly rate	$105.49	$95.83
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	118,621	93,090
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

What does an acute care physician do?

An acute care physician is responsible for providing quality care services for the patients, diagnosing them, and administering medications. These physicians have the same duties as regular physicians, usually working for patients with a short-term illness or those patients recovered from medical conditions that require ongoing treatment and medications. Acute care physicians monitor patients' medical histories, scheduling follow-up checkups, as well as other procedures. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, and most importantly, the knowledge of the medical industry within their expertise.

What does a public health physician do?

A public health physician provides health services in communities, treating and diagnosing illnesses and injuries, referring patients to other services when necessary. Besides providing direct health care, they also spearhead various programs focusing on disease and injury prevention, help local communities in dealing with natural disasters and outbreaks, and facilitating seminars and information drives. Moreover, a public health physician may also utilize their health care expertise by participating in various studies and research programs meant to help communities.

Acute care physician vs public health physician salary

Acute care physicians and public health physicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Acute Care Physician	Public Health Physician
Average salary	$219,416	$199,316
Salary range	Between $141,000 And $340,000	Between $103,000 And $382,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Santa Ana, CA
Highest paying state	Vermont	California
Best paying company	Freeman Health System	Alameda Health System
Best paying industry	Non Profits	Health Care

Differences between acute care physician and public health physician education

There are a few differences between an acute care physician and a public health physician in terms of educational background:

	Acute Care Physician	Public Health Physician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common major	Medicine	Medicine
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	University of Virginia

Acute care physician vs public health physician demographics

Here are the differences between acute care physicians' and public health physicians' demographics:

	Acute Care Physician	Public Health Physician
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 40.1% Female, 59.9%	Male, 32.1% Female, 67.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 19.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 18.9% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	13%	13%

Differences between acute care physician and public health physician duties and responsibilities

Acute care physician example responsibilities.

Gain experience managing patients with cardiopulmonary, post-surgical orthopedic, post-traumatic, and metabolic conditions
Pursue exposure to ICU, NICU and orthopedic surgery.
Evaluate and analyze patients' medical charts, physical and mental abilities to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
Collect patient's health information before having surgery.
Analyze procedures and diagnoses using ICD-9 & CPT codes.
Rotate in rheumatology, medicine, pediatrics, neurology.

Public health physician example responsibilities.

Develop skills in managing diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
Educate employees about the prevention of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.
Develop, administer, and follow up on new to EHR competency assessments complete by new hires during EMR training.
Work and supervise patients with severe emotional problems.
Provide overall quality prenatal health care, gynecological services, patient triage, refer patients with complications, provide patient education service
Scan and upload patient documentation into eClinicalWorks system.

Acute care physician vs public health physician skills

Common acute care physician skills

Patients, 38%
Family Practice, 12%
Internal Medicine, 6%
Epic, 4%
Medical Care, 4%
ICU, 3%

Common public health physician skills

Patients, 39%
Primary Care, 13%
Patient Care, 10%
Urgent Care, 7%
Family Practice, 5%
Medical Care, 4%

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Acute Care Physician
Acute Care Physician vs Public Health Physician

Updated January 8, 2025

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