Doctor Medicinae (Danish and Norwegian degree)

Universitetet i Oslo, midtbygningen2

Doctor Medicinae (Dr.med.), often abbreviated as Dr.Med., is a higher academic degree in medicine awarded by universities in Denmark and Norway. This degree is traditionally a higher doctorate that follows a professional degree in medicine and is comparable to the Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) or Doctor of Medical Science degrees offered in other countries. The Dr.Med. degree signifies substantial contributions to the field of medical science through original research. It is considered a significant achievement beyond the basic medical qualification, such as the Candidatus Medicinae (Cand.Med.) degree in Denmark and Norway, which is equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in the United States and Canada.

Requirements

To be eligible for the Dr.Med. degree, candidates must first hold a professional degree in medicine (Cand.Med.). Following this, the candidate must conduct original and significant research in a specific area of medical science. The culmination of this process is the submission and public defense of a doctoral thesis or dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field. The requirements for obtaining the Dr.Med. degree vary between universities in Denmark and Norway, but all require that the dissertation be of high scientific quality and that it represents a significant contribution to the field of medical science.

Process

The process of obtaining the Dr.Med. degree involves several steps, starting with the completion of the Cand.Med. degree. After gaining some years of clinical experience and/or research, the candidate embarks on a research project under the supervision of experienced mentors. This project often takes several years to complete and culminates in the writing of a doctoral dissertation. The candidate must then successfully defend their dissertation in a public forum, after which they are awarded the Dr.Med. degree.

Significance

The Dr.Med. degree is highly respected in the medical community and is considered a mark of excellence in medical research. Holders of the Dr.Med. degree often pursue careers in medical research, academia, or high-level clinical practice. They may also hold leadership positions in healthcare organizations, contribute to medical policy, or continue to advance the field of medicine through innovative research.

Comparison with Other Degrees

The Dr.Med. degree is distinct from the Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in medicine in that it is typically awarded for a broader scope of research and requires a professional medical degree as a prerequisite. While both the Dr.Med. and Ph.D. degrees signify high levels of achievement in research, the Dr.Med. is more closely tied to clinical medicine and the application of research findings to improve patient care.

See Also

• Candidatus Medicinae
• Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Science
• Medical research
• Higher education in Denmark
• Higher education in Norway