Geriatric physician vs public health physician

The differences between geriatric 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 a geriatric physician and a public health physician. Additionally, a geriatric physician has an average salary of $210,898, which is higher than the $199,316 average annual salary of a public health physician.

The top three skills for a geriatric physician include patient care, EMR and nursing home. The most important skills for a public health physician are patients, primary care, and patient care.

Geriatric physician vs public health physician overview

	Geriatric Physician	Public Health Physician
Yearly salary	$210,898	$199,316
Hourly rate	$101.39	$95.83
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	38,498	93,090
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

What does a geriatric physician do?

A geriatric physician is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disease ailments in elderly patients. To be precise, they are a primary care doctor specially trained in the aging process. They may be required to plan the successful transfers of patients from the hospital, educate patients on how they can stay active and healthy, and ensure patients are up to date with necessary health tips.

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.

Geriatric physician vs public health physician salary

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

	Geriatric Physician	Public Health Physician
Average salary	$210,898	$199,316
Salary range	Between $104,000 And $423,000	Between $103,000 And $382,000
Highest paying City	Anderson, SC	Santa Ana, CA
Highest paying state	North Dakota	California
Best paying company	Freeman Health System	Alameda Health System
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between geriatric physician and public health physician education

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

	Geriatric Physician	Public Health Physician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common major	Medicine	Medicine
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	University of Virginia

Geriatric physician vs public health physician demographics

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

	Geriatric Physician	Public Health Physician
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9%	Male, 32.1% Female, 67.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 20.4% White, 64.9% 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 geriatric physician and public health physician duties and responsibilities

Geriatric physician example responsibilities.

Initiate new treatment protocols for managing complex patients with co-morbid psychiatric and medical illnesses.
Provide overall quality prenatal health care, gynecological services, patient triage, refer patients with complications, provide patient education service
Assist physician with minor office surgeries and other various procedures ECG's and immunizations.

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.

Geriatric physician vs public health physician skills

Common geriatric physician skills

Patient Care, 30%
EMR, 28%
Nursing Home, 22%
Medical Care, 8%
Epic, 8%
Private Practice, 2%

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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Geriatric Physician
Geriatric Physician vs Public Health Physician

Updated January 8, 2025

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