March 30 marks the annual observance of Doctor’s Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about the active roles physicians play in our community, to say thanks, and to reflect on their hard work and dedication. From the family practitioners who quietly treat their patients every day to the specialists who care for patients with special needs, all physicians deserve our recognition.

"Physicians dedicate their lives to their patients and to their communities," notes Rashmi K. Chugh, MD, MPH, president of the DuPage County Medical Society. "The national Doctor's Day serves to remind all of us of the essential role that they play in maintaining the health of our communities. Physicians put their patients first, making them the best advocate for the patient in today's complicated health care system.”

Many people do not know that the title “doctor” before a name does not necessarily mean that the person is a physician. Physicians are individuals who have earned a degree and fulfilled other requirements to practice medicine as an allopathic physician (MD) or an osteopathic physician (DO). Because there are so many types of care offered nowadays by people who have had training that permits them to be called “doctor,” it is important for patients to understand the qualifications of physicians, that is, MDs and DOs.

Becoming a physician takes at least 11 years of schooling beyond high school -- sometimes 13 years or more. To be a licensed MD or DO, one must first graduate with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college, then graduate from an accredited medical school, generally a four-year program. Then the physician-in-training serves one year of internship, plus two to four years as a “resident" physician on a hospital staff where medical teaching programs are offered. At this point, the young physician studies one of many medical specialties such as family medicine, obstetrics, internal medicine, general surgery and so on.

A physician also must successfully complete a comprehensive examination for licensure by the state Board of Medical Examiners. Of course, a physician also must be willing to maintain the ethical standards of the profession and commit to continuing medical education throughout his or her career.

Doctor’s Day has been held annually since 1933 to honor physicians who dedicate their careers to the care of their patients and to advancing medical knowledge. The first Doctor’s Day honored Crawford W. Long, MD, of Georgia, who discovered the use of ether as an anesthetic in surgery. Previously, surgery was done without any painkillers.