Physicians are also known as medical doctors. They diagnose medical problems and provide treatments to improve the health of their patients.
Physicians first ask questions to determine medical history.
Then they examine patients, give tests and interpret test results. Physicians also advise their patients on good health practices such as diet, exercise and preventive health care. MDs are also called allopathic physicians. DOs are called osteopathic physicians. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the inter-relationship of the body's nerves, muscles, bones and organs, focusing special attention on the musculoskeletal system.