Most physicians pursue postgraduate medical education training in the form of a residency. Residencies provide specialized training in practice areas such as pediatrics, cardiology or neurology. Licensed physicians also earn continuing education credits by taking courses that cover topics such as new surgical techniques or research findings.
Postgraduate medical education helps physicians to gain the in-depth knowledge needed to practice a specialty. Completing a residency is necessary to become board-certified in a specialty area. Attending seminars or taking additional courses meets the continuing education requirements dictated by some states, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
The BLS notes that the employment outlook for physicians is expected to grow some 22 percent through 2018. There is special demand for doctors who have completed postgraduate medical training in areas such as cardiology and radiology. This is because an aging population is at higher risk of developing heart disease or cancer, the BLS states.