Physician vs Doctor: Roles, Education and Career Outlook

• Physicians focus on diagnosing and treating patients, while doctors cover a broader list of medical and non-medical degrees in various fields. 
• Physicians start their educational journey with an undergraduate degree, followed by medical school, residency programs, and relevant certifications. Doctors may pursue PhDs or other doctoral degrees based on their medical or non-medical specialization. 
• Demand and job growth rates for both physicians and doctors will be different for each specialty.

If you’re considering a career in the field of healthcare, it’s important to understand the difference between various terms, including physicians and doctors. Although the terms “physician” and “doctor” are used interchangeably, they conduct different day-to-day responsibilities in their respective fields. All physicians are considered doctors, but not all doctors are classified as physicians.

This article will focus on the differences between medical doctors and physicians, discuss educational requirements, skills and qualities, career and salary outlook, and their importance in healthcare. 

What Is a Physician?

A physician’s primary responsibility is analyzing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries, illnesses, and ailments. They are licensed medical professionals who focus on preventive care, identifying health issues, and advising patients on adopting healthier habits in their daily lives. 

Although this term may be used as a generic description for those who pursue a medical degree, physicians can specialize in various fields within medicine, such as surgery, cardiology, pediatrics, internal medicine, and dermatology.

Regardless of their specializations, physicians share a common set of everyday responsibilities, including: 

• Interpreting diagnostic tests; 
• Designing treatment plans based on the diagnosis; 
• Identifying and analyzing symptoms to ensure an accurate diagnostic assessment; 
• Offering advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle; 
• Communicating conditions to patients clearly and effectively; 
• Recording patients’ diagnosis, treatment, and continuous progress. 

What Is a Doctor?

Doctors are professionals who have earned advanced degrees, such as a PhD, in medical or non-medical fields. Doctors involved in the medical field can be classified into three main categories based on their scope of practice. 

• Firstly, there are Medical Doctors (MDs) whose primary focus is allopathic medicine, commonly known as conventional medicine. They diagnose and treat various medical issues using methods such as X-rays, surgeries, and prescription drugs. 
• Then, there are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) who use a similar medical approach, with an additional focus on the body’s musculoskeletal system and a holistic focus that considers the mind, body, and spirit in patient care.
• Lastly, there are non-physician doctors who contribute to the field of medicine by advancing research or educating future professionals in areas such as research and education.

For the purposes of this article, we’re going to focus on non-physician doctors – individuals contributing to the field of medicine without directly engaging in patient care.

Physician vs Doctor

The term ‘doctor’ refers to all individuals who have earned a medical or doctoral degree, regardless of the field of study. On the other hand, ‘physician’ specifically refers to medical professionals who practice in areas such as internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, and dermatology. Therefore, it’s important to note that the terms ‘physician’ and ‘doctor’ should not be used interchangeably.

Some of their key differences include patient care, educational requirements, specializations, work environment, essential skills and qualities, and lastly, career and salary outlook. We’ll delve into all these differences in detail below. 

Patient conditions

Physicians focus on diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical and surgical conditions that affect the body. For example, pediatricians focus on children’s health, managing issues such as developmental delays and allergies. Cardiologists specialize in heart-related conditions, such as hypertension, while surgeons perform surgical interventions for conditions like appendicitis. Physicians are also equipped to deal with emergencies, like stabilizing patients during strokes or traumatic events. 

On the other hand, non-physician doctors contribute to understanding and addressing patient conditions through research. For example, medical researchers with PhDs may study disease mechanisms and work on developing new treatments in laboratories. Public health experts focus on epidemiology, studying disease patterns to inform policies and health interventions. 

This difference demonstrates the expertise that comes with these roles and their contributions to patient care in different forms. 

Educational requirements

The educational requirements for physicians include a 4-year undergraduate degree in a science-related field, followed by 4 years of medical school. Afterward, they must go through residency training in their chosen specialty, which lasts 3 to 7 years. Many physicians also pursue fellowship programs for further specialization, which last between 1 to 3 years.

Those interested in pursuing this path should carefully consider several factors before choosing a university, such as accreditation, faculty expertise, research opportunities, and access to clinical training centers. The American University of Antigua College of Medicine (AUA) is an accredited institution that provides world-class education for aspiring physicians. It provides clinical rotations, a comprehensive curriculum, and practical skills training, with an emphasis on active learning.

Conversely, non-physician doctors in fields such as public health, biomedical research, or healthcare policy contribute to medicine through research, education, and policy development. These professionals typically pursue their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees without the need for residency programs or fellowships. For example, a non-physician doctor in public health might complete a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, followed by a master’s in public health (MPH), and then a PhD or DrPH, which takes about 3 to 6 years to complete.

Specializations

Physicians and doctors pursue various specialties to advance their expertise, gain practical experience, and expand their career opportunities.

Physicians usually complete residency programs to specialize in fields such as surgery, cardiology, dermatology, internal medicine, or pediatrics. Throughout this period, they apply their theoretical knowledge in clinical settings and develop clinical skills and judgment under the guidance of experienced physicians. 

Non-physician doctors who still contribute to the medical field specialize in areas like public health, biomedical research, education, or healthcare policy. For example, public health experts may focus on epidemiology, biostatistics, or social and behavioral health, using their expertise to influence health policies and improve healthcare delivery. 

Work environment

Both physicians and doctors work in different environments, including hospitals, private practices, and clinics. 

• Hospitals: Physicians are typically involved in direct patient care, including diagnosing conditions, creating treatment plans, performing surgeries, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Meanwhile, doctors, depending on their specialty, may focus on research, teaching, or administrative roles.
• Private practices: Physicians may focus more on patient consultations, preventative care, and long-term health management. They may specialize in areas like pediatrics, internal medicine, or dermatology. Conversely, doctors with non-medical doctorates may take on administrative or managerial responsibilities, overseeing operations or focusing on specific organizational roles.
• Clinics: Physicians manage chronic conditions, perform minor treatments, focus on preventive medicine, and provide community-centered care, prioritizing health education. Doctors, depending on their expertise, may also provide specialized consultations, such as rehabilitation services or mental health assessments.

Essential skills and qualities

Physicians and doctors must possess key skills that allow them to perform their job responsibilities in medical or non-medical fields successfully. These skills equip them to navigate challenging situations in healthcare, research, academia, or industry.

• Empathy: Both physicians and doctors must show empathy and effectively address the emotional and physical needs of others, either patients or people involved. Physicians can do this through patient care, whereas doctors of various fields use it to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. 
• Communication skills: These skills allow them to clearly and effectively communicate complex medical information to patients and families. Additionally, it helps them present findings, ideas, or solutions understandably for all audiences. Meanwhile, doctors may also need communication skills to present findings, ideas, or solutions to diverse audiences.
• Attention to detail: This skill enables physicians and doctors to perform day-to-day responsibilities in an accurate and timely manner, including diagnosis, prescribing treatments, conducting experiments, or designing new solutions. 
• Problem-solving: Physicians often face high-pressure situations, such as medical emergencies, where problem-solving skills are necessary. Similarly, doctors in other fields use these skills in different situations, such as conducting research or uncovering new data to address specific challenges.
• Leadership: Physicians and doctors often collaborate across disciplines, creating innovative plans or delegating tasks to address complex cases effectively. Thus, they need leadership skills to guide their teams toward shared goals.

Career and salary outlook

Physicians will experience a 4% job growth rate from 2023 to 2033 as the demand increases along with the prevalence of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease. There will be around 23,600 job openings yearly due to employees retiring or changing their careers. Nevertheless, the job demand is different for each specialty, with job growth expected to rise in psychiatry. In contrast, pediatrics may see a limited demand as the child population declines.

Physicians earn an average annual salary of around $239,200. On the other hand, non-physician doctors, such as research scientists, earn an average salary of $99,450 yearly, while those in senior roles in biotechnology earn between $115,756-$118,332. Job growth in these roles may result from advancements in technology, increased investment in innovations, and specific industry trends. 

Which One Should You Choose?

Before choosing a career as a physician or a doctor, you should reflect on your interests, job responsibilities, career goals, and educational requirements. 

If you are interested in working directly with patients in fast-paced medical settings, a career as a physician may be ideal. This path focuses on diagnosing and treating illnesses, as well as performing procedures in different medical specialties, such as general medicine, surgery, dermatology, cardiology, and pediatrics. This path typically requires a bachelor’s degree, medical school, residency, certifications, and licensure. 

On the other hand, before choosing to become a non-physician doctor, you need to consider whether you enjoy research breakthroughs or supporting healthcare through specialized roles in fields such as education, business, and law. A non-medical doctor may undergo 4-7 years of education for a PhD, Ed. D, or J.D. 

Ultimately, reflecting on these factors, alongside your skills or aspirations, will help you determine the best career for you. 

Conclusion

Both physicians and doctors are essential in healthcare. While physicians are committed to patient care and medical procedures, doctoral professionals contribute similarly through medical or non-medical specializations and roles. Whether working in hospitals, private practices, clinics, or academia, both paths require strong problem-solving skills, empathy, leadership, analytical skills, and communication. 

If you’re interested in making an impact on the world around you, the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine offers the right support, education, and opportunities to succeed in the medical field. Join us to spend four years setting the foundation for a successful, fulfilling, and rewarding career in medicine. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a physician be called a doctor?

Yes, a physician can be called a ‘doctor’ as they are qualified for the title. Nevertheless, not all doctors can be called ‘physicians’. 

Who is more qualified, a doctor or a physician?

In healthcare, physicians are more qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses due to their medical training and licensure. However, in fields like research or education, non-physician doctors may be more qualified. The level of qualification ultimately depends on the context and the specific role.

Which is higher, a PhD or MD?

A PhD and an MD are both doctoral degrees but serve different purposes and are not directly comparable. An MD is a professional degree for practicing medicine, focused on patient care and clinical skills, while a PhD emphasizes research, academic expertise, and advancing knowledge in a specific field. Both hold equal academic status but differ in their applications.