The word physician is derived from the ancient word physis and its derived word physikos which means nature and natural. The Latin word physicus means a medical practitioner. Physic generally means the art or science of treatment with drugs or medicines.
A physician is also called as doctor or the doctor of medicine. He or she practices the ancient profession of medicine and concentrates on study, diagnosis and treatment of the disease to maintain or restore the human health. A thorough knowledge of academic disciplines which includes anatomy and physiology explaining the diseases and their treatment is required. The role of the physician is thought in different ways around the world. But according to the ethics of medicine, physicians are meant to show the care, consideration and compassion for their patients.
In the western tradition, physicians are considered as learned professionals and they possess a high social status. They also enjoy a good income and job security. They are often ready to work for shifts and usually work for long hours. They have obtained a high status because of their extensive training requirements and also because of special ethical and legal duties in their occupation. The therapies are divided in to five streams. These include alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, which are basically the effect of mind on the physical functions of the body, biologically based systems which includes herbalism and alterable body based methods which include chiropractic and massage therapy.
Some commentators have told that it is the duty of physicians to serve as good examples for the general public in the health matters. To give an example, by being a nonalcoholic, by being a non smoker, by doing exercises daily, maintaining healthy food habits etc. Indeed it is also observed that, in few western countries, the physicians smoke but their medical knowledge has turned out to be beneficial on maintaining their health. In a survey, it is also observed that the life expectancy of a physician is a bit more than any other highly qualified professionals such as engineers, doctors, lawyers etc. That is because they are usually less prone to diseases such as pneumonia, emphysema etc.