What Is a Doctor?

When most people say “doctor,” they mean a physician: someone who diagnoses and treats illnesses, injuries, and diseases in patients. But the road to becoming a physician is longer and more complex than most people realize, and there are actually two types of physicians in the United States. Understanding the basics now helps you plan ahead.

Two types of physicians

MD (Doctor of Medicine)

An MD is an allopathic physician. Allopathic medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases using evidence-based methods like medication, surgery, and other interventions. There are 157 accredited MD-granting medical schools in the United States (source: AAMC, as of the most recent academic year).

DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)

A DO is an osteopathic physician. DOs receive the same core medical training as MDs but also learn osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach to diagnosis and treatment that emphasizes the musculoskeletal system. There are 41 accredited DO-granting medical schools in the United States (source: AACOM). Both MDs and DOs can practice in every medical specialty, prescribe medications, and perform surgery.

How long does it take?

Years 1-4

College (undergraduate)

Complete a bachelor’s degree with pre-med prerequisite courses: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, math, English, psychology, and sociology. Most students major in a science, but you can major in anything as long as you complete the prerequisites.

Year 3-4

MCAT

Take the Medical College Admission Test, a 7.5-hour exam covering biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and critical reasoning. Most students take it in the spring or summer before their senior year.

Years 5-8

Medical school

Four years of medical education. The first two years focus on classroom learning (anatomy, pharmacology, pathology). The last two years are clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics where you work with real patients under supervision.

Years 9-12+

Residency

After medical school, every physician must complete residency training in their chosen specialty. Residencies last 3-7 years depending on the specialty (family medicine is 3 years, neurosurgery is 7). During residency, you are a licensed physician but still training under supervision.

In total, becoming a practicing physician takes 11-15 years after high school. That is a long time, and it is okay if that number feels overwhelming right now. The journey happens one step at a time.

What do doctors actually do every day?

The daily work of a physician depends entirely on their specialty. A family medicine doctor sees 20-25 patients per day in an office, managing conditions from ear infections to diabetes. An emergency medicine physician works 12-hour shifts in a hospital ER, treating everything from broken bones to heart attacks. A pathologist may never see a patient, instead analyzing tissue samples under a microscope to diagnose cancer. A psychiatrist talks with patients about their mental health. The common thread is that all physicians use scientific knowledge to help people.

Do I have to decide now?

No. Most physicians did not decide to pursue medicine until college. Some did not decide until after working in a different field. In middle school, the most valuable thing you can do is stay curious, take your science and math classes seriously, and explore what interests you. If the idea of helping people through science excites you, you are in the right place.

Tip

If you want to see what a doctor’s day really looks like, ask your pediatrician or family doctor if you can shadow them for a few hours. Many physicians are happy to let motivated students observe, especially if you ask politely and explain your interest.

Not sure about being a doctor?

There are dozens of healthcare careers that help people heal. Physician is just one of them. Browse all 39 profiles to see what fits you best.

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Sources: AAMC (aamc.org), Facts Table A-1, Medical School Enrollment; AACOM (aacom.org), U.S. Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physicians and Surgeons.