What is a Doctor of Medicine?
Q: What is a Doctor of Medicine?
A: A Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a doctoral degree for physicians (medical doctors). It is a professional doctorate / first professional degree in some countries, including the United States and Canada.
Q: What qualifications do students need to obtain an MD?
A: Students need to have completed 90 to 120 credit hours of university level work and usually should already have a Bachelors Degree.
Q: How does the MD compare to other degrees in different countries?
A: In other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, the Doctor of Medicine is an advanced academic research degree similar to a PhD or higher doctorate. In Britain, Ireland, and many Commonwealth nations, the qualifying medical degree is the Bachelor of Science in Medicine, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, BMBS, BM BCh, BM MB BCh BAO or MB ChB), which is equivalent to an M.D. in the U.S system.
Q: Is it necessary to hold any additional qualifications besides an MD in order to practice medicine?
A: Yes - it is illegal to prescribe scrips (prescriptions) and perform operations without holding membership with appropriate medical and/or surgical societies. The societies act as a kind of sophisticated trades union for doctors; additionally one must be on the register with General Medical Council which has legal authority for licensing those who are qualified to practice medicine.
