- A nurse made a video to explain the differences between the words “physician” and “doctor.”
- To put an end to this discussion, in recent years the RAE has made changes to both terms and affirms that they can be used as synonyms.
- Part of this confusion was generated centuries ago because in English the word “physician” translates as “doctor.”
Within the field of health there is a question that is frequently asked: Are a doctor and a doctor the same or are there differences? In a common way both terms are used as synonyms although in reality the two have quite different origins. Therefore, an eternal discussion within the health profession is about the way in which each one should be used.
A nurse’s point of view
For some it is an irrelevant and unimportant issue, although there are also people who take it too seriously. In fact, the Spanish nurse Celia Padilla made a video to explain the true meaning of each and his general conclusion is that they are completely different.
What it mentions is that A doctor is a person who studied the Bachelor of Medicine. His training is focused on health and the study of the human body. The career is too extensive and upon completion of university studies, internship and social service can be considered with this term.
Besides, The word “doctor” is used for the highest degree of studies in any area. After completing university, you can pursue a master’s degree and then a doctorate. The main part is that it is not exclusive to health but exists in Communication, Politics, Law, Mathematics, Engineering and more.
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Even the nurse gives her own case as an example. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, she continued her studies until she completed a doctorate. Therefore she can now consider herself a doctor even though she cannot legally prescribe medication or offer consultation.
A current or outdated discussion?
Now, one of the problems with the video is the reference that is taken into account to expose the differences between a doctor and a doctor. In recent years, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) made a change in the definitions of both terms.
In the case of “doctor” the first meaning remains unchanged and says that it is the “Person who has received the highest university academic degree”. Although the third definition indicates that it is also a “Doctor or other professional specialized in some therapeutic technique, such as a dentist, podiatrist, etc.”
That said, according to the most recent update of the RAE, it is correct to use the terms doctor and doctor as synonyms. It should also be remembered that part of this discussion has its origin in the English language.
The biggest drawback is that In Shakespeare’s language there is only the word “doctor” to refer to a health professional. Because there is no direct term for “doctor” it is that in Spanish the two are used as synonyms.
Also read:
Main ethical medical dilemmas faced by doctors
Inclusive language in health: Is it called a doctor or a doctor?
National Dentist Day, can they be doctors too?