Medical doctor

"Physician" redirects here. For practitioners of internal medicine, see Internal medicine.

A medical doctor, also known as a physician (American and Canadian English) or medical practitioner (British English), is a health professional who practices medicine. Medicine aims to promote, maintain or restore health through the study, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental conditions.

Doctors may focus on certain disease categories, types of patients, and methods of treatment, known as specialities. Others work in general practice, providing continuing and comprehensive medical care to individuals, families. Medical practice requires both thorough knowledge of the medical sciences—such as anatomy, physiology, diseases, and their treatment—and strong competence in applying this knowledge in practice, which forms the art or craft of the profession.

Both the role of doctors and the meaning of the word itself vary around the world. Degrees and other qualifications vary widely, but there are some common elements, such as medical ethics requiring that doctors show consideration, compassion, and benevolence for their patients.

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