The word physician often leads to confusion because of its spelling. It has to be remembered, however, that a physician is someone who practices medicine - a qualified doctor - while a physicist is one who carries out scientific research in the field of physics, which deals with the theory of gravity, quantum mechanics, and so on. The term physician is one that is found in common use across the United States, although most other countries prefer to use the term doctor, which is more direct and less misleading. To reiterate, a physician is a person who has been trained to carry out a medical check up of a patient, announce the diagnosis of an ailment, and prescribe suitable remedial measures as a form of cure.

However, while some physicians practice general medicine that covers everything, there are others who prefer to specialize in specific branches of medicine. Specialized areas of medicine include cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, geriatric medicine, endocrinology, oncology, infectious diseases, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic surgery, pathology, plastic surgery, psychiatry, radiology, urology, and vascular surgery.

In terms of job opportunities for physicians worldwide, the increasing demand in the health care sector has ensured a wide choice. There are many employment agencies and Internet portals that are dedicated to sourcing suitable openings that match qualifications and experience of physicians. Apart from physicians looking for conventional openings, there are many who seek alternate career paths in medicine and one of these is the rehabilitation sector. Rehabilitation includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology. The physician uses his or her knowledge to help people return to normal living after they have been cured of their ailments.

Physicians can either opt for regular employment with clinics or hospitals or even prefer to set up their own practice. Physicians can also find opportunities with leading social welfare organizations that often have a need to post physicians at locations where certain projects have been undertaken in terms of medicare development, women empowerment, and child care.