Endocrinologists are specialists in hormones and endocrine systems. Endocrinologists provide medical care for people with a range of conditions caused by disorders of hormonal systems, such as diabetes, thyroid and pituitary disease. Endocrinologists typically work in an interdisciplinary team, working collaboratively with diabetes nurse educators, dietitians, podiatrists, clinical psychologists and other allied health, nursing and medical colleagues. Endocrinologists work in both acute inpatient hospital care and outpatient clinic settings.
The work of an endocrocrinologist may include:
Endocrinologists may also be involved in research, clinical care, quality improvement, teaching, education and mentoring.
Working as an endocrinologist typically involves working as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with colleagues to provide clinical care, understanding of complex endocrine systems and interpretation of specialist endocrine investigations, and providing clinical management for people living with complex chronic disease.
Excellent communication skills, a strong interest in endocrine systems and disorders and highly developed collaborative and interpersonal skills are ideal attributes.
Endocrinology training is via the physician training pathway. After being accepted on to the basic physician training program, completing the basic physician clinical attachments and passing the written and clinical physician examinations, a basic physician trainee may apply to be accepted on to the Endocrinology advanced training program. Advanced training in Endocrinology usually consists of three years of specialist endocrinology training. Some trainees will also go on to complete a research higher degree.
Endocrinologists may work across public or private hospital and outpatient settings and may work in metropolitan or rural locations. Whilst some endocrinologists may subspecialise e.g. in diabetes, thyroid, pituitary, many remain generalists.
