| A doctor is a person, especially a physician, dentist | | | | Altruism contributes to the trust that is central to |
| or veterinarian trained in the healing arts and | | | | the physician-patient relationship. Market forces, |
| licensed to practice medicine. A physician has | | | | societal pressures, and administrative exigencies |
| earned the highest academic degree awarded by | | | | must not compromise this principle. |
| a university. When referring to a physician, one | | | | The best primary care doctors (the doctors you |
| usually prefaces the last name by "doctor." It is a | | | | see for check-ups and referrals) are obviously |
| title well earned, as medical school is notoriously | | | | competent and compassionate. Primary care |
| difficult and laborious to complete successfully. | | | | doctors can be a family physician, a gynecologist |
| Most people who enter med school never finish. | | | | (for a woman) and a pediatrician for children. This |
| This is an intentional facet of the system, which is | | | | doctor will coordinate your medical history and |
| designed so that only the best can survive in the | | | | refer you to a specialist if necessary. |
| health profession as a doctor. | | | | The best way to find a doctor is by family and |
| The Hippocratial standards. It is taken by newly | | | | friend referrals or the yellow pages for possible |
| graduated physicians to observe the ethical | | | | names to research. There are also referral |
| standards of their profession, specifically to seek | | | | services available at many hospitals. Call your local |
| to preserve life. This principle is based on a | | | | hospital and ask if they have a doctor's referral |
| dedication to serving the interest of the patient. | | | | service. |