In the waiting room, we say “the doctor will see you now.” On the prescription, it is “general practitioner” that appears. These two terms coexist in everyday medical life, but they do not refer to the same thing. One refers to an academic degree, the other to a regulated profession. Confusing the two can lead to real problems, including legal ones.
Doctor title and medical profession: two distinct statuses in French law
When a patient calls their practitioner “doctor,” they think of the person who treats them. In law, however, the term “doctor” refers to any person holding a doctoral degree, regardless of the field. A doctor in history, physics, or law holds this title just like a doctor of medicine.
Law No. 2020-1674 clarified this point by amending Article L412-1 of the Code of Research. Since this amendment, holders of the national doctoral degree can use the title of doctor “in any job and under any circumstances.” A researcher in molecular biology can therefore legitimately write “Dr” on their business card, without practicing medicine.
The term “physician,” on the other hand, is strictly reserved. It designates a state-certified health professional in medicine, registered with the Order of Physicians. Without this registration, it is impossible to practice legally, even with the diploma in hand. By delving deeper into this subject, we can understand the difference between a physician and a doctor and why the confusion persists in everyday language.
Usurpation of the title of physician: what the penal code provides
The legal consequences of confusing these two terms are not always recognized. Presenting oneself as a physician without the right to do so constitutes a criminal offense. The Public Health Code strictly regulates the illegal practice of medicine, and the Penal Code punishes title usurpation.
Specifically, an osteopath, a naturopath, or a health coach who would use the title of “doctor” in a context suggesting a medical qualification is exposed to prosecution. The usurpation of the title of doctor of medicine is specifically protected by law, just like that of a doctor of dental surgery.
For health professionals who are not physicians (physiotherapists, nurses, pharmacists), the rule is clear: they do not use the title of doctor in their practice, even if some hold a university doctorate. Responses on this point vary among French-speaking countries, with Quebec, for example, having different rules that allow the title for chiropractors or optometrists who are members of their professional order.
Medical education path: why every physician is a doctor
The French medical curriculum is lengthy, among the most demanding in higher education. The diploma obtained at the end of this program is a state diploma of doctor of medicine, which explains why every physician is automatically a doctor.
The reverse is not true. A doctor of political science has no recognized medical competence. The confusion arises from the fact that everyday language has reduced “doctor” to “physician,” while the academic term covers all disciplinary fields.
What the state diploma of doctor of medicine contains
To practice, the future physician must validate several steps that go well beyond the thesis defense:
- A first cycle of fundamental theoretical and scientific training, common to all medical specialties
- A second cycle of externship with hospital internships, in direct contact with patients and care teams
- A third cycle of residency in the chosen specialty, lasting several years depending on the discipline (general medicine, surgery, psychiatry, etc.)
- The defense of a thesis of practice, which officially confers the title of doctor of medicine
Without the defended thesis, there is no title of doctor. A resident at the end of their training who has not yet defended their thesis practices under supervision but cannot present themselves as a doctor.
Mentions on the prescription and professional plaque: what ethics say
In the office, the distinction between physician and doctor takes a very concrete form on official documents. The prescription must mention the practitioner’s name, their status as a physician, and their specialty. The title “Dr” appears as an abbreviation, but it is the mention “physician” that attests to the right to practice and prescribe.
On the professional plaque, advertising rules are governed by the Medical Ethics Code. A physician can indicate their name, specialty, and recognized diplomas. They cannot add commercial mentions or titles not validated by the Order.
Why this rigor on mentions
The ethical framework protects the patient. By reading a plaque or a prescription, anyone should be able to unambiguously identify that they are dealing with a professional authorized to practice medicine. A pharmacist who would add “Dr” on a sign without specifying “pharmacist” would create a punishable confusion.
The authorized mentions follow precise rules:
- The abbreviation “Dr” precedes the name on the physician’s professional documents
- The specialty must correspond to the registered ordinal qualification
- Complementary diplomas (capacities, university diplomas) can be mentioned if recognized by the Order
The next time you are asked to distinguish these two terms, remember this simple rule: every physician is a doctor, but not every doctor is a physician. The first word designates a profession regulated by law and the Order, while the second refers to an academic degree accessible in all disciplines. A distinction that may seem subtle on paper, but which carries very different responsibilities in practice.