PHYSICIAN
Physician is a general term to describe a health professional that practises medicine. This can refer to a MD that has studied allopathic medicine or a DO that has studied osteopathic medicine. Either of these types of physician can then specialize in any of the avialable specialties. Explore the differences between both degrees as well as the various specialties available after graduation from medical school.
MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD)
Programs that award a MD require 3-4 years of studying allopathic medicine, which is the more traditional curriculum with a very scientific focus on diagnosis and treatment.
DOCTOR OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (DO)
Programs that award a DO require 3-4 years of studying osteopathic medicine, which takes a more holistic and hands-on approach to medicine.
MEDICAL SPECIALTIES
After graduation from medical school you enter residency which can be anywhere from 3 to 7 years depending on your specialty.