The difference between doctors and physicians often causes confusion, especially for patients navigating medical care. Many people use the terms interchangeably, assuming they mean the same thing in all situations. While the overlap is real, the distinction matters in healthcare, particularly when it comes to diagnosis, treatment plans, and medical authority.
Understanding the difference between a doctor and a physician helps patients make informed decisions about who is providing their care. It also clarifies what certain titles mean in clinical settings, hospitals, and private practices. At Rego Park Diagnostic & Treatment Center, we believe that informed patients are better equipped to navigate their healthcare. By the end of this guide, you will clearly understand how these roles differ, how they overlap, and why the distinction matters for patient care.
What Is a Doctor?
The term doctor refers to an academic title rather than a medical role. A doctor is anyone who has earned a doctoral degree, which represents advanced education and expertise in a specific field. While many doctors work in medicine, not all doctors practice medicine or treat patients.
A doctoral degree can be earned in many professional and academic disciplines. These individuals are highly trained in their respective fields, but their education does not automatically include medical training, clinical practice, or the authority to provide medical care.
Common types of doctoral degrees include:
- PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in fields such as biology, psychology, or public health
- EdD (Doctor of Education)
- JD (Juris Doctor)
- PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy)
- DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
In healthcare settings, this distinction can be especially confusing. Some professionals hold doctoral degrees and work alongside medical practitioners, but they are not medical doctors. This is why patients may encounter the title “doctor” used in different ways depending on the work environment and professional role.
What Is a Physician?
A physician is a specific type of doctor who has completed medical training and is licensed to practice medicine. Physicians are medical professionals who diagnose illnesses, create treatment plans, prescribe medication, and perform medical procedures or surgery within their chosen specialty. To become a physician, an individual must earn a professional medical degree, either an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), both of which qualify them to treat patients and work in clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
In addition to medical school, physicians must complete residency training and, in some cases, fellowship training to gain hands-on clinical experience. This process prepares them to care for patients in real-world medical environments and manage complex health conditions. In short, every physician is a doctor, but not every doctor is a physician.
Education and Training Differences
The educational journey is where the difference between doctors and physicians becomes most clear. While both paths involve advanced education, the structure, focus, and purpose of training differ significantly.
Physicians follow a highly standardized medical pathway. This path is designed to prepare medical students to practice medicine safely and independently.
A typical physician education path includes:
- An undergraduate degree, often focused on science or pre-med studies
- Medical school, where students earn either an MD or a DO degree
- Residency training, lasting three to seven years, depending on the chosen specialty
- Optional fellowship training for advanced specialization
- Licensing exams and approval from state medical licensing boards
This process ensures physicians receive extensive hands-on medical training in clinical settings. Residency programs emphasize patient care, performing procedures, creating treatment plans, and managing complex cases.
By contrast, other doctoral degrees focus on academic research, education, leadership, or policy. These programs do not include medical school, residency training, or medical board licensing. While they require significant expertise, they do not prepare individuals to practice medicine or treat patients independently.
Are All Physicians Doctors? Are All Doctors Physicians?
This question comes up frequently, and the answer is straightforward. All physicians are doctors because they hold a medical doctorate. However, not all doctors are physicians. The title “doctor” applies broadly to anyone with a doctoral degree, while “physician” refers only to licensed medical practitioners.
This distinction is important in healthcare. When patients seek medical care, they are typically looking for a licensed physician who can diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and provide treatment within a regulated medical practice. Understanding this difference helps patients know who is qualified to provide medical care and who may be offering expertise in a different professional capacity.
How the Difference Affects Patients
For patients, the difference between doctors and physicians directly impacts who can provide medical treatment and make clinical decisions. Titles alone do not always reflect medical authority, which is why understanding credentials matters.
In everyday medical care, patients most often interact with physicians when they need diagnosis, treatment, or long-term management of health conditions. This includes primary care, internal medicine, and specialty fields such as orthopedic surgery or plastic surgery.
Common patient scenarios include:
- Seeking preventative care or routine checkups with a primary care physician
- Managing chronic conditions through general physicians or internal medicine specialists
- Receiving specialized treatment or surgery from physicians with additional training
- Being advised by a healthcare team that may include physician assistants or other medical professionals under physician supervision
Knowing whether someone is a licensed physician helps patients understand who is responsible for diagnosing conditions, prescribing medication, and overseeing treatment plans. It also ensures continuity and accountability in medical care.
Why Some Healthcare Providers Use the Title “Doctor”
In modern healthcare, patients may encounter professionals who use the title “doctor” but are not physicians. This can include individuals with clinical or academic doctoral degrees, such as pharmacists, nurse practitioners, or public health professionals. While these providers hold advanced education and play important roles in healthcare, they are not licensed physicians.
These professionals often support patient care by advising patients, managing medications, or contributing to treatment plans, but their scope of practice differs from that of a physician and varies by licensing rules and state regulations. For patients, the most important factor is not the title itself, but the provider’s medical authority. Knowing whether someone is a licensed physician helps clarify who can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and manage complex medical conditions.
How to Tell If Someone Is a Licensed Physician
Patients can take simple steps to confirm whether a healthcare provider is a licensed physician. This can be especially helpful when navigating new medical practices or complex healthcare systems.
Before relying on someone for medical treatment, it is reasonable to verify credentials. Physicians are required to maintain active licenses and meet ongoing education standards.
Helpful ways to confirm physician credentials include:
- Checking state medical licensing board databases
- Looking for MD or DO credentials
- Verifying board certification in a specific medical field
- Asking directly about training, residency programs, and specialty areas
These steps help patients feel confident that they are receiving medical care from fully licensed medical practitioners.
Doctor vs Physician Comparison Table
Understanding the difference between doctors and physicians becomes easier when the distinctions are presented clearly. The comparison below highlights the key differences patients should know.
| Category | Doctor | Physician |
| Degree | Doctoral degree | MD or DO |
| Medical School | Not required | Required |
| Residency Training | Not required | Required |
| Medical License | No | Yes |
| Diagnose & Treat | No | Yes |
| Prescribe Medication | No | Yes |
| Clinical Authority | Varies by role | Full medical authority |
This comparison reinforces why physicians are the primary medical professionals responsible for diagnosing and treating patients.
Conclusion
The difference between doctors and physicians comes down to training, licensing, and medical authority. While all physicians are doctors, not all doctors are licensed to practice medicine. Understanding this distinction helps patients know who is qualified to diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and manage treatment plans. When patients understand titles and roles within healthcare, they can make more informed decisions and feel more confident about the care they receive.
At Rego Park Diagnostic & Treatment Center, our care is led by licensed physicians who provide comprehensive medical services, from preventive care to managing complex conditions. Our team focuses on clear communication, accurate diagnoses, and patient-centered treatment plans. If you are looking for trusted medical care in a clinical setting, contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
FAQs
Who is more qualified, a doctor or a physician?
A physician is more qualified to provide medical care. While many people hold the title “doctor,” only physicians have completed medical school, residency training, and licensing required to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and treat patients.
Is a health physician a doctor?
Yes. A health physician is a doctor who has earned a medical degree (MD or DO) and is licensed to practice medicine in a clinical setting.
What is another name for a physician?
Another name for a physician is a medical doctor. Physicians may also be referred to as MDs, DOs, medical practitioners, or medical providers, depending on context.
Can a doctor be called a physician?
Only if the doctor is a licensed medical practitioner. A person with a doctoral degree in a non-medical field is a doctor, but they cannot be called a physician unless they have completed medical training and hold a medical license.
