Physician vs. Surgeon — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 21, 2023
A physician diagnoses and treats illnesses, often with medication, while a surgeon performs operations to treat diseases, injuries, or deformities.
Difference Between Physician and Surgeon
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A physician is a medical professional who evaluates, diagnoses, and treats patients primarily through non-surgical means. They may prescribe medications or therapies to manage health conditions. A surgeon, on the other hand, is specialized in performing surgical operations to correct or treat medical conditions.
While both physicians and surgeons attend medical school, their training paths diverge during residencies. Physicians may delve deeper into understanding diseases, conditions, and general patient care. Surgeons focus intensely on surgical techniques, procedures, and the hands-on aspect of patient care during and after operations.
It's crucial to understand that all surgeons are physicians, but not all physicians are surgeons. After acquiring a general medical education, surgeons undergo additional years of training specifically in surgery. Physicians might specialize in areas like internal medicine, pediatrics, or cardiology, which don't always involve surgical treatments.
One might consult a physician for a wide range of health concerns, from colds to chronic conditions like diabetes. If a condition requires surgical intervention, a physician will typically refer the patient to a surgeon. The surgeon then assesses the need for surgery, performs the operation, and oversees post-operative care.
In practical settings, both physicians and surgeons work collaboratively. While the physician might manage a patient's overall health and ongoing medical conditions, the surgeon steps in when surgical expertise is required, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Role
Diagnoses and treats illnesses without surgery
Performs surgical operations
Training
Medical school plus non-surgical residency
Medical school plus surgical residency
Specialization
Can specialize in various non-surgical disciplines
Specializes in specific surgical disciplines
Consultation
Seen for general health concerns
Seen for conditions requiring surgical intervention
Overlap
All surgeons are physicians
Not all physicians are trained as surgeons
Compare with Definitions
Physician
A specialist in medical science excluding surgical procedures.
The physician prescribed medications to treat the infection.
Surgeon
A doctor skilled in invasive medical treatments.
The heart surgeon has a decade of experience in performing bypass surgeries.
Physician
A doctor who manages health conditions without performing surgeries.
My physician recommended diet and exercise to manage my blood pressure.
Surgeon
A physician trained to treat diseases, injuries, or deformities via surgery.
After the accident, a surgeon was called to address the fractures.
Physician
A medical professional trained to diagnose and treat diseases.
The patient made an appointment with the physician to discuss his recurring headaches.
Surgeon
A medical specialist who performs surgical operations.
The surgeon successfully removed the tumor from the patient's lung.
Physician
An individual skilled in the art of healing.
The physician carefully listened to the patient's concerns and symptoms.
Surgeon
A medical practitioner whose primary function is to operate on patients.
The renowned surgeon has authored several papers on innovative surgical procedures.
Physician
A doctor of medicine who isn't a surgeon.
She is a renowned physician known for her expertise in endocrinology.
Surgeon
An expert in surgical techniques and post-operative care.
The orthopedic surgeon provided guidelines for recovery after the knee replacement.
Physician
A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments. Physicians may focus their practice on certain disease categories, types of patients, and methods of treatment—known as specialities—or they may assume responsibility for the provision of continuing and comprehensive medical care to individuals, families, and communities—known as general practice.
Surgeon
In modern medicine, a surgeon is a physician who performs surgery. There are also surgeons in podiatry, dentistry, orthodontics, and veterinary medicine.
Physician
A person trained and licensed to practice medicine; one who has a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Surgeon
A physician specializing in surgery.
Physician
(Archaic) A person who practices general medicine as distinct from surgery.
Surgeon
One who performs surgery; a doctor who performs operations on people or animals.
The surgeon refused to operate because the patient was her son.
Physician
A person who heals or exerts a healing influence.
Surgeon
A surgeonfish.
Physician
A practitioner of physic, i.e. a specialist in internal medicine, especially as opposed to a surgeon; a practitioner who treats with medication rather than with surgery.
Surgeon
One whose profession or occupation is to cure diseases or injuries of the body by manual operation; one whose occupation is to cure local injuries or disorders (such as wounds, dislocations, tumors, etc.), whether by manual operation, or by medication and constitutional treatment.
Physician
A medical doctor trained in human medicine.
Surgeon
Any one of numerous species of chætodont fishes of the family Teuthidæ, or Acanthuridæ, which have one or two sharp lancelike spines on each side of the base of the tail. Called also surgeon fish, doctor fish, lancet fish, and sea surgeon.
Physician
A person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one duty authorized to prescribe remedies for, and treat, diseases; a doctor of medicine.
Surgeon
A physician who specializes in surgery
Physician
Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases; as, a physician of the soul.
Physician
A licensed medical practitioner;
I felt so bad I went to see my doctor
Common Curiosities
Do I need to see a physician before getting surgery?
Often, yes. A physician may diagnose a condition and then refer you to a surgeon.
Can a physician perform surgeries?
Typically, no. Only those trained as surgeons perform surgeries.
Do physicians earn more than surgeons or vice versa?
Earnings can vary widely based on specialty, location, and experience. Some surgical specialties might earn more than non-surgical ones.
Are surgical specialties more demanding than non-surgical ones?
Both have their challenges. Surgical specialties involve hands-on procedures, while non-surgical ones demand extensive diagnostic skills.
Why might a physician refer a patient to a surgeon?
If a condition requires surgical intervention, a physician will refer to a surgeon.
Are all surgeons also physicians?
Yes, all surgeons are physicians but not all physicians are surgeons.
How long does it take to become a surgeon compared to a physician?
Both attend medical school, but surgeons have additional years of surgical residency.
Can a physician switch to being a surgeon later in their career?
It's challenging. They would need to undergo a surgical residency and fulfill all required training.
Can a surgeon prescribe medications like a physician?
Yes, surgeons can prescribe medications as needed for their patients.
Can surgeons have their own clinics?
Yes, some surgeons have outpatient clinics for consultations and follow-ups.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
