Medical doctors

Medical doctors, also known as physicians, are professionals who practice medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining, or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments. Medical doctors may focus their practice on certain disease categories, types of patients, and methods of treatment—known as specialties.

Education and training

Becoming a medical doctor typically requires at least seven years of study after completing an undergraduate degree. This includes four years of medical school and three years of residency training, although the length of residency can vary depending on the specialty chosen. Some medical doctors may also complete additional fellowship training in a subspecialty.

Roles and responsibilities

Medical doctors are responsible for diagnosing illnesses, prescribing and administering treatment, providing follow-up care, and providing preventative care. They may also conduct medical research and teach in medical schools.

Specialties

There are many different specialties within medicine, including surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynecology. Each specialty has its own training requirements and areas of focus.

Regulation

In most countries, the practice of medicine is regulated by law and overseen by professional bodies. Medical doctors are typically required to be registered with the relevant licensing authority and to adhere to a professional code of ethics.

See also

• List of medical specialties
• Medical education
• Medical ethics
• Medical research

Medical doctors Resources
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