Physicians in the United States

Physicians are an important part of health care in the United States. The vast majority of physicians in the US have a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, though some have a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

The American College of Physicians uses the term physician to describe specialists in internal medicine, while the American Medical Association uses the term physician to describe members of all specialties.

There is a physician shortage in the U.S., which is in part a result of lobbying by the American Medical Association to restrict supply of physicians.

Physicians in the United States are generally beter-paid than physicians in other advanced economies. U.S. physicians' annual earnings average $350,000, with variations across specialties and disciplines.