Doctor vs. Physician: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Anyone with a doctoral degree
A medical professional
Professional Recognition
Varies based on field (Ph.D., Ed.D., J.D., MD, etc.)
Typically, MD or DO
Scope
Broad, spanning various academic and professional fields
Specific to the practice of medicine
Origin
From Latin 'docere,' meaning "to teach"
From Old French 'fisicien'
Practical Implications
Can be in any field, not necessarily medicine
Always related to diagnosing and treating illness
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Doctor and Physician Definitions
Doctor
A qualified medical practitioner.
The Doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics.
Physician
A medical professional who diagnoses and treats illness.
The Physician examined the patient's symptoms carefully.
Doctor
A title of respect for some professionals, even without a doctoral degree.
Doctor Smith, the dentist, has a clinic downtown.
Physician
Someone well-versed in the science of medicine.
The Physician continually updates his knowledge with the latest medical research.
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.
Physician
A doctor specializing in general medicine, not surgery.
The Physician recommended seeing a surgeon for the procedure.
Doctor
Any of certain other healthcare professionals, such as a dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or veterinarian.
Physician
A person qualified to practice medicinal arts.
The Physician opened a new practice in the city center.
Doctor
A practitioner of alternative medicine or folk medicine who does not have traditional medical credentials.
Physician
A person trained and licensed to practice medicine; one who has a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Doctor
A person who has earned the highest academic degree, usually a PhD, awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline.
Physician
(Archaic) A person who practices general medicine as distinct from surgery.
Doctor
A person awarded an honorary degree by a college or university.
Physician
A person who heals or exerts a healing influence.
Doctor
Abbr. Dr. Used as a title and form of address for a person holding the degree of doctor.
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.
Doctor
Roman Catholic Church An eminent theologian.
Physician
A medical doctor trained in human medicine.
Doctor
A rig or device contrived for remedying an emergency situation or for doing a special task.
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.
Doctor
(Informal) To give medical treatment to
"[He] does more than practice medicine. He doctors people. There's a difference" (Charles Kuralt).
Physician
Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases; as, a physician of the soul.
Doctor
To repair, especially in a makeshift manner; rig.
Physician
A licensed medical practitioner;
I felt so bad I went to see my doctor
Doctor
To falsify or change in such a way as to make favorable to oneself
Doctored the evidence.
Physician
An internal medicine specialist.
As a seasoned Physician, she's seen a myriad of internal health issues.
Doctor
To add ingredients so as to improve or conceal the taste, appearance, or quality of
Doctor the soup with a dash of sherry.
Doctor
To alter or modify for a specific end
Doctored my standard speech for the small-town audience.
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.
Doctor
To practice medicine.
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.
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.
Doctor
A veterinarian; a medical practitioner who treats non-human animals.
Doctor
A nickname for a person who has special knowledge or talents to manipulate or arrange transactions.
Doctor
(obsolete) A teacher; one skilled in a profession or a branch of knowledge; a learned man.
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"
Doctor
A fish, the friar skate.
Doctor
A ship's cook.
Doctor
(transitive) To act as a medical doctor to.
Her children doctored her back to health.
Doctor
To act as a medical doctor.
Doctor
(transitive) To make (someone) into an (academic) doctor; to confer a doctorate upon.
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.
Doctor
(transitive) To genetically alter an extant species.
Mendel's discoveries showed how the evolution of a species may be doctored.
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.
Doctor
(transitive) To adulterate, drug, or poison (drink).
Doctor
To take medicine.
Doctor
A teacher; one skilled in a profession, or branch of knowledge; a learned man.
One of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas Macciavel.
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.
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.
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.
Doctor
The friar skate.
Doctor
To treat as a physician does; to apply remedies to; to repair; as, to doctor a sick man or a broken cart.
Doctor
To confer a doctorate upon; to make a doctor.
Doctor
To tamper with and arrange for one's own purposes; to falsify; to adulterate; as, to doctor election returns; to doctor whisky.
Doctor
To practice physic.
Doctor
A licensed medical practitioner;
I felt so bad I went to see my doctor
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
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
Doctor
A person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution;
She is a doctor of philosophy in physics
Doctor
Alter and make impure, as with the intention to deceive;
Sophisticate rose water with geraniol
Doctor
Give medical treatment to
Doctor
Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Doctor
A person awarded a doctoral degree.
The Doctor of Philosophy graduated from Harvard.
Doctor
Someone skilled or specialized in a particular field.
She's a doctor of the arts, with her exquisite paintings.
Doctor
A person who mends or repairs.
He's the doctor of old clocks, fixing antiques with precision.
FAQs
Can someone with a Ph.D. be called a Physician?
No, a Physician specifically refers to someone trained in medicine.
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.
Is the title "Doctor" exclusive to medical professionals?
No, "Doctor" can refer to anyone with a doctoral degree in various fields.
Why is the word "Doctor" associated with teaching?
It originates from the Latin 'docere,' meaning "to teach," due to its academic connotations.
Is every Physician a Doctor?
Yes, every Physician has a doctoral degree in medicine, making them a Doctor.
Is an MD the same as a Physician?
Yes, an MD, or Medical Doctor, is a type of Physician.
Are chiropractors considered Physicians?
Chiropractors are "Doctors of Chiropractic" but aren't Physicians in the sense of medical doctors.
Do all Doctors have the authority to prescribe medications?
No, only Physicians and certain other medical professionals can prescribe medications.
Can a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine be called a Physician?
Yes, they are trained in medicine and are considered Physicians.
Are all Physicians involved in patient care?
Most are, but some may focus on research or academic roles.
Can a Doctor perform surgery?
Only if they are also a trained and licensed surgeon, which falls under the category of Physician.
Why might someone introduce themselves as a "Doctor" in a hospital?
It signifies they hold a doctoral degree, though not necessarily in medicine.
Do Physicians only diagnose and treat illnesses?
Primarily, but they also provide preventive care and health education.
Are psychologists considered Physicians?
No, while they can be "Doctors of Psychology," they aren't Physicians.
Is the term "Physician" used internationally?
Yes, but its precise definition and connotations can vary by country.
Why is the term "Physician" less common in daily language?
The term "Doctor" is more universally understood, while "Physician" is more specific to medicine.
Are there non-medical fields where the term "Physician" is used?
Rarely, "Physician" is almost exclusively used for medical practitioners.
Can the title "Doctor" be used socially, outside of professional settings?
Yes, especially for medical doctors, but it's based on personal preference.
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.
What's the primary role of a Doctor in a research position?
To contribute to academic and scientific advancements in their field.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
