What does M.D (Doctor of Medicine) stand for?

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M.D. Meaning

M.D. stands for "Doctor of Medicine" (from the Latin "Medicinae Doctor"), which is a professional doctoral degree awarded to physicians who have completed medical school and are licensed to practice medicine. 1

Professional Designation

  • M.D. is the standard medical degree conferred upon graduates of allopathic medical schools in the United States and many other countries 1
  • The designation appears after a physician's name to indicate they have completed medical education and training required for medical licensure 1
  • Physicians with M.D. degrees work across all medical specialties including surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and public health 1

Related Designations

  • D.O.M. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) is an alternative medical degree with similar scope of practice 1
  • M.P.H. (Master of Public Health) is often combined with M.D. for physicians working in public health and epidemiology 1
  • Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) may be combined with M.D. for physician-scientists engaged in research 1

Context in Medical Documentation

  • The M.D. abbreviation is universally recognized in medical records and healthcare settings 2, 3
  • Unlike many clinical abbreviations that can be ambiguous or misinterpreted across specialties, M.D. maintains consistent meaning throughout healthcare 3

References

1
Guideline

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Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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