Medical doctors who are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and injuries. Licensed practitioners of medicine.
From Old French 'fisicien,' ultimately from Greek 'physikos' meaning 'natural' and 'physis' meaning 'nature.' Originally referred to those who studied natural philosophy, later narrowing to medical practice.
The word 'physician' literally means 'one who studies nature,' reflecting the ancient belief that understanding the natural world was key to healing. This connects modern doctors to the philosophical tradition of observing and understanding natural processes.
Physicians were male-dominated until 20th century; female physicians faced systemic barriers and were historically called 'lady doctors' or excluded from specialties.
Use 'physicians' or 'doctors' as gender-neutral; specify gender only when relevant to discussion of equity or lived experience.
["doctors","medical professionals","clinicians"]
Women physicians like Elizabeth Blackwell (1849) and Mae Jemison fought exclusion to establish women's full professional authority in medicine.
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