A medical doctor who diagnoses illness, prescribes treatment, and provides ongoing care across acute and chronic conditions.
What physicians do
Physicians evaluate patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and coordinate treatment plans. They may work in primary care managing common conditions or in specialties focused on a single organ system, disease, or patient group.
Training path
US physicians complete a bachelor’s degree, then four years of medical school leading to an MD or DO. Residency follows for three to seven years depending on specialty. Board certification requires passing examinations and meeting continuing education requirements throughout the career.
Common specialties
Internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics cover primary care. Specialties include cardiology, oncology, neurology, and emergency medicine. Subspecialties typically add one to three years of fellowship training after residency.
Find more professions by letter
Physician starts with P and ends with N. Browse other professions along the same letter.
Professions that contain a letter from "Physician":