Physician vs. Psychiatrist: What Are the Differences?

Physicians and psychiatrists are both medical professionals who help patients improve their health. Though they share some similarities, there are several key differences between these two job titles. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between physicians and psychiatrists and provide helpful tips for choosing a career in medicine.

What is a Physician?

Physicians, also called Doctors, are medical professionals who diagnose and treat patients for a variety of medical conditions. They examine patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and provide treatments. Physicians can specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as cardiology or pediatrics. They typically work in hospitals, clinics or private practices and often collaborate with other medical professionals, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, to provide comprehensive care to patients.

What is a Psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. They use a combination of medical, psychological and social approaches to help their patients. Psychiatrists conduct thorough medical evaluations to determine if a patient’s symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a mental disorder or both. They also order and interpret laboratory tests and brain imaging studies. In addition to diagnosing and treating mental disorders, Psychiatrists also work to prevent mental health problems. They promote mental health by conducting research, teaching and writing about mental health topics.

Physician vs. Psychiatrist

Here are the main differences between a physician and a psychiatrist.

Job Duties

Psychiatrists and physicians share some job duties, such as seeing patients, diagnosing illnesses and diseases and prescribing medications. However, psychiatrists have additional job responsibilities that fall within the field of psychiatry. These include conducting psychiatric evaluations, performing psychological testing, offering counseling and therapy to patients and managing a patient’s care plan throughout their treatment.

Physicians’ job duties are more focused on the medical aspects of healthcare. They conduct thorough physical examinations of patients, perform diagnostic tests and analyze results to determine disease diagnoses and formulate treatment plans with patients. Physician job duties also include prescribing medication, ordering lab work and other diagnostic procedures and providing healthcare education to patients.

Job Requirements

Physicians and psychiatrists both need to complete a four-year undergraduate degree before attending medical school. During medical school, they must complete three years of classroom and laboratory work, followed by a one-year internship. After medical school, physicians and psychiatrists must complete a residency program, which typically lasts three to eight years. Physicians specializing in a particular area of medicine may need to complete a fellowship, which can last an additional one to three years.

To practice medicine, physicians and psychiatrists must obtain a license from the state in which they plan to work. They must also pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Psychiatrists must also complete a written examination administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

Work Environment

Psychiatrists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices and outpatient facilities. They may also work for the government or military. Psychiatrists can choose to work alone or with teams of other medical professionals.

Physicians typically work in hospitals, but they can also work in private practice or as part of a team. Physicians who work in emergency rooms often work long hours and have irregular schedules. Some physicians travel between different locations to provide care to patients.

Skills

Both physicians and psychiatrists use critical thinking skills to assess their patients’ symptoms and make a diagnosis. They also use active listening skills to understand their patients’ concerns and build rapport. However, physicians typically focus on physical symptoms while psychiatrists focus on psychological symptoms.

Physicians use medical knowledge to treat their patients’ conditions. This includes understanding how diseases progress and what treatments are available. Psychiatrists also use medical knowledge, but they also need to understand how the mind works and the different types of mental disorders that exist.

Physicians use interpersonal skills when they interact with their patients and provide them with information about their condition and treatment options. Psychiatrists also use interpersonal skills, but they may need to use them more frequently as they often work with patients who are experiencing emotional distress. These skills enable psychiatrists to build trust and rapport with their patients.

Salary

The average salary for a physician is $204,276 per year, while the average salary for a psychiatrist is $240,179 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the location of the job, the size of the company, the level of experience and the type of specialization.