A '''physician''' is a person who is licensed to practice [[medicine]]. Physicians take care of the human body and its ailments. A modern physician undertakes a course of study at an institution of higher learning such as a [[university]]. In the U.S. a physician earns the degree [[Doctor]] of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) after 4 years of graduate study. In the U.K., Ireland and most [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries the basic medical degree is of 6 or 7 years of duration. In recent times a postgraduate 4-year degree has been introduced. | A '''physician''' is a person who is licensed to practice [[medicine]]. Physicians take care of the human body and its ailments. A modern physician undertakes a course of study at an institution of higher learning such as a [[university]]. In the U.S. a physician earns the degree [[Doctor]] of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) after 4 years of graduate study. In the U.K., Ireland and most [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries the basic medical degree is of 6 or 7 years of duration. In recent times a postgraduate 4-year degree has been introduced. |