What are primary care doctors and how do they differ from research doctors?

Sook Hershkowitz: Primary care doctors are MDs who provide general care to patients in an office or clinic setting. Research doctors usually have a PhD, they are not medical doctors and do not go to medical school. Some medical doctors obtain a PhD in addition to a medical degree. In this case they go to a medical school program that combines both an MD and PhD degree.

Evelin Turlich: A primary care doctor is the 'first' doctor most patients see and will provide physical exams and evaluate special needs. The primary care doctor will refer a patient to specialists as the need arises. Many medical health plans require patients to identify their primary care physician who must approve medications, procedures (X-rays, MRIs, etc.) or referrals to specialists in order to receive full benefits. Although many research doctors have PhDs the director of research may well be a medical doctor....Show more