The ROAD to SuccessToday in America, an important field is always in need of new workers: the medical field. The demand for doctors has continued to increase over the past few decades. Logically, this makes sense given that the population of the United States has increased by almost 70 million people in a span of 30 years (“Population”). Patients are limited to physicians employed within a convenient distance; with a limited number of doctors made available each year (around 25,000), hospitals give more with less (Cauchon). With 131 accredited medical schools in the United States alone, why is there still a shortage of doctors? The number of physicians retiring is proportional to the number of new physicians, but the percentage of undergraduates continuing to earn a medical degree remains low. Many people fear interacting with patients; some fear the idea of ​​managing the lives of others. Some people just don't want to stay in school for another ten years. These are quite general, but for the passionate student, there is a career choice for everyone. Students must be willing to explore all possibilities and understand that the journey is long. There are many different medical careers with many distinct qualities. Future doctors should take these distinct qualities into account. An essential quality, dichotomized by radiology and dermatology, is interaction with the patient, direct or indirect. Most students going into medicine may hear an acronym along their journey: ROAD: Radiology, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, and Dermatology. Typically, standard doctors work up to 60 hours per week or more (professional). The ROA...... middle of paper ......oolhell.com/2007/03/16/what-exactly-are-the-road-specialties/>."Medical schools." Association of American Medical Colleges. AAMC, 2009. Web. October 19, 2009. .Professional Perspectives Handbook. Ed. 2008-2009. Washington DC: US ​​Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, 2008. US Department of Labor. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Internet. October 21, 2009. “Population.” Chart. Google public data. United States Census Bureau, Population Division, October 15, 2009. Web. October 19, 2009. “Radiologists.” Explore careers in healthcare. 3rd ed. Flight. 2. New York: Ferguson, 2006. 800-06. Print.Toro, Victor E. Personal interview. March 11 2009.