Such 'hospitalists' now make up about 19% of all US general internists, who are often called general physicians in Commonwealth countries. Another term, hospitalist, was introduced in 1996, to describe US specialists in internal medicine who work largely or exclusively in hospitals. Hence, in the 16th century, physic meant roughly what internal medicine does now.Ĭurrently, a specialist physician in the United States may be described as an internist. Newer universities would probably describe such an academic as a professor of internal medicine. In the same year, the English monarch established the Regius Professorship of Physic at the University of Cambridge. It was not until 1540 that he granted the Company of Barber-Surgeons (ancestor of the Royal College of Surgeons) its separate charter. Henry VIII granted a charter to the London Royal College of Physicians in 1518. The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, gives a Middle English quotation making this contrast, from as early as 1400: "O Lord, whi is it so greet difference betwixe a cirugian and a physician." This term is at least nine hundred years old in English: physicians and surgeons were once members of separate professions, and traditionally were rivals. This meaning of physician conveys a sense of expertise in treatment by drugs or medications, rather than by the procedures of surgeons. Degrees and other qualifications vary widely, but there are some common elements, such as medical ethics requiring that physicians show consideration, compassion, and benevolence for their patients.Īround the world the term physician refers to a specialist in internal medicine or one of its many sub-specialties (especially as opposed to a specialist in surgery). Medical practice properly requires both a detailed knowledge of the academic disciplines, such as anatomy and physiology, underlying diseases and their treatment-the science of medicine-and also a decent competence in its applied practice-the art or craft of medicine.īoth the role of the physician and the meaning of the word itself vary around the world. Physicians may focus their practice on certain disease categories, types of patients, and methods of treatment-known as specialities-or they may assume responsibility for the provision of continuing and comprehensive medical care to individuals, families, and communities-known as general practice. A physician ( American English), medical practitioner ( Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices 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.
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