Doctor vs. Physician: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on November 1, 2023
A doctor is a title for someone who has earned a doctoral degree, while a physician specifically refers to a medical professional trained to diagnose and treat illnesses.
Key Differences
"Doctor" is a broad term and can be used to describe anyone with a doctoral degree, whether in medicine, philosophy, law, or education. It denotes an advanced academic achievement. In contrast, "Physician" is a term exclusively used for someone trained and licensed to practice medicine.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
While every physician can be called a doctor (due to their doctoral degree in medicine), not every doctor is a physician. A person with a Ph.D. in literature is a doctor but not a physician.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
The word "Doctor" originates from the Latin 'docere,' meaning "to teach," reflecting its academic connotation. "Physician" derives from the Old French word 'fisicien,' emphasizing the practice of medicine.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
In many parts of the world, including the U.S., only those with a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree are recognized as physicians. However, the title "Doctor" can be used by individuals with doctoral degrees in various fields.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
In a hospital or clinical setting, referring to someone as a "Doctor" doesn't necessarily mean they practice medicine. They could be a researcher, an academic, or any professional with a doctoral degree. But addressing someone as a "Physician" clearly identifies them as a medical practitioner.
Janet White
Oct 31, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Professional Recognition
Varies based on field (Ph.D., Ed.D., J.D., MD, etc.)
Typically, MD or DO
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Scope
Broad, spanning various academic and professional fields
Specific to the practice of medicine
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Practical Implications
Can be in any field, not necessarily medicine
Always related to diagnosing and treating illness
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
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Doctor and Physician Definitions
Doctor
A qualified medical practitioner.
The Doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Physician
A medical professional who diagnoses and treats illness.
The Physician examined the patient's symptoms carefully.
Harlon Moss
Oct 13, 2023
Doctor
A title of respect for some professionals, even without a doctoral degree.
Doctor Smith, the dentist, has a clinic downtown.
Harlon Moss
Oct 13, 2023
Physician
Someone well-versed in the science of medicine.
The Physician continually updates his knowledge with the latest medical research.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Doctor
A person who is licensed to practice medicine and has trained at a school of medicine or a school of osteopathic medicine; a physician.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
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Physician
A doctor specializing in general medicine, not surgery.
The Physician recommended seeing a surgeon for the procedure.
Sara Rehman
Oct 13, 2023
Doctor
Any of certain other healthcare professionals, such as a dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or veterinarian.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Physician
A person qualified to practice medicinal arts.
The Physician opened a new practice in the city center.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Doctor
A practitioner of alternative medicine or folk medicine who does not have traditional medical credentials.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Physician
A person trained and licensed to practice medicine; one who has a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
A person who has earned the highest academic degree, usually a PhD, awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Physician
(Archaic) A person who practices general medicine as distinct from surgery.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
Abbr. Dr. Used as a title and form of address for a person holding the degree of doctor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Physician
A practitioner of physic, i.e. a specialist in internal medicine, especially as opposed to a surgeon; a practitioner who treats with medication rather than with surgery.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
A rig or device contrived for remedying an emergency situation or for doing a special task.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Physician
A person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one duty authorized to prescribe remedies for, and treat, diseases; a doctor of medicine.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(Informal) To give medical treatment to
"[He] does more than practice medicine. He doctors people. There's a difference" (Charles Kuralt).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Physician
Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases; as, a physician of the soul.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Physician
A licensed medical practitioner;
I felt so bad I went to see my doctor
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
To falsify or change in such a way as to make favorable to oneself
Doctored the evidence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Physician
An internal medicine specialist.
As a seasoned Physician, she's seen a myriad of internal health issues.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Doctor
To add ingredients so as to improve or conceal the taste, appearance, or quality of
Doctor the soup with a dash of sherry.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
To alter or modify for a specific end
Doctored my standard speech for the small-town audience.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(Baseball) To deface or apply a substance to (the ball) in violation of the rules in order to throw a pitch with extraordinary movement
Was ejected because he doctored the ball with a piece of sandpaper.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
A physician; a member of the medical profession; one who is trained and licensed to heal the sick or injured. The final examination and qualification may award a doctor degree in which case the post-nominal letters are D.O., DPM, M.D., DMD, DDS, in the US or MBBS in the UK.
If you still feel unwell tomorrow, see your doctor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
A person who has attained a doctorate, such as a Ph.D. or Th.D. or one of many other terminal degrees conferred by a college or university.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
A nickname for a person who has special knowledge or talents to manipulate or arrange transactions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(obsolete) A teacher; one skilled in a profession or a branch of knowledge; a learned man.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(dated) Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency.
The doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous colouring matter
The doctor, or auxiliary engine, also called "donkey engine"
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(transitive) To act as a medical doctor to.
Her children doctored her back to health.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(transitive) To make (someone) into an (academic) doctor; to confer a doctorate upon.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(transitive) To physically alter (medically or surgically) a living being in order to change growth or behavior.
They doctored their apple trees by vigorous pruning, and now the dwarfed trees are easier to pick.
We may legally doctor a pet to reduce its libido.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(transitive) To genetically alter an extant species.
Mendel's discoveries showed how the evolution of a species may be doctored.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(transitive) To alter or make obscure, as with the intention to deceive, especially a document.
To doctor the signature of an instrument with intent to defraud is an example of forgery.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
A teacher; one skilled in a profession, or branch of knowledge; a learned man.
One of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas Macciavel.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
An academical title, originally meaning a man so well versed in his department as to be qualified to teach it. Hence: One who has taken the highest degree conferred by a university or college, or has received a diploma of the highest degree; as, a doctor of divinity, of law, of medicine, of music, or of philosophy. Such diplomas may confer an honorary title only.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
One duly licensed to practice medicine; a member of the medical profession; a physician.
By medicine life may be prolonged, yet deathWill seize the doctor too.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency; as, the doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous coloring matter; the doctor, or auxiliary engine, called also donkey engine.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
To treat as a physician does; to apply remedies to; to repair; as, to doctor a sick man or a broken cart.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
To tamper with and arrange for one's own purposes; to falsify; to adulterate; as, to doctor election returns; to doctor whisky.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
(Roman Catholic Church) a title conferred on 33 saints who distinguished themselves through the othodoxy of their theological teaching;
The Doctors of the Church greatly influenced Christian thought down to the late Middle Ages
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
Children take the roles of doctor or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the doctor's office;
The children explored each other's bodies by playing the game of doctor
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
A person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution;
She is a doctor of philosophy in physics
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
Alter and make impure, as with the intention to deceive;
Sophisticate rose water with geraniol
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Doctor
A person awarded a doctoral degree.
The Doctor of Philosophy graduated from Harvard.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 13, 2023
Doctor
Someone skilled or specialized in a particular field.
She's a doctor of the arts, with her exquisite paintings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Doctor
A person who mends or repairs.
He's the doctor of old clocks, fixing antiques with precision.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
FAQs
Can someone with a Ph.D. be called a Physician?
No, a Physician specifically refers to someone trained in medicine.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Does a dentist qualify as a Physician?
No, while a dentist is a "Doctor of Dental Medicine" or "Doctor of Dental Surgery," they're not Physicians.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
Is the title "Doctor" exclusive to medical professionals?
No, "Doctor" can refer to anyone with a doctoral degree in various fields.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Why is the word "Doctor" associated with teaching?
It originates from the Latin 'docere,' meaning "to teach," due to its academic connotations.
Harlon Moss
Oct 31, 2023
Is every Physician a Doctor?
Yes, every Physician has a doctoral degree in medicine, making them a Doctor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Is an MD the same as a Physician?
Yes, an MD, or Medical Doctor, is a type of Physician.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Are chiropractors considered Physicians?
Chiropractors are "Doctors of Chiropractic" but aren't Physicians in the sense of medical doctors.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
Do all Doctors have the authority to prescribe medications?
No, only Physicians and certain other medical professionals can prescribe medications.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Can a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine be called a Physician?
Yes, they are trained in medicine and are considered Physicians.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
Are all Physicians involved in patient care?
Most are, but some may focus on research or academic roles.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Can a Doctor perform surgery?
Only if they are also a trained and licensed surgeon, which falls under the category of Physician.
Harlon Moss
Oct 31, 2023
Why might someone introduce themselves as a "Doctor" in a hospital?
It signifies they hold a doctoral degree, though not necessarily in medicine.
Janet White
Oct 31, 2023
Do Physicians only diagnose and treat illnesses?
Primarily, but they also provide preventive care and health education.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
Are psychologists considered Physicians?
No, while they can be "Doctors of Psychology," they aren't Physicians.
Janet White
Oct 31, 2023
Is the term "Physician" used internationally?
Yes, but its precise definition and connotations can vary by country.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 31, 2023
Why is the term "Physician" less common in daily language?
The term "Doctor" is more universally understood, while "Physician" is more specific to medicine.
Harlon Moss
Oct 31, 2023
Are there non-medical fields where the term "Physician" is used?
Rarely, "Physician" is almost exclusively used for medical practitioners.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
Can the title "Doctor" be used socially, outside of professional settings?
Yes, especially for medical doctors, but it's based on personal preference.
Sara Rehman
Oct 31, 2023
Can a "Doctor" be a title for non-human entities?
Yes, in fiction, entities like "Doctor Who" or "Doctor Octopus" use the title, but they aren't Physicians or doctoral degree holders.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 31, 2023
What's the primary role of a Doctor in a research position?
To contribute to academic and scientific advancements in their field.
Janet White
Oct 31, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
