In a recent survey, the AMA asked the public which of the following professionals are medical doctors.
In the parentheses after each profession is the percent of the public agreeing that the position requires an MD.
Ob/gyn (93 percent)
Primary care physician (91 percent)
General or family practitioner (88 percent)
Orthopedic surgeon (84 percent)
Dermatologist (84 percent)
Anesthesiologist (78 percent)
Psychiatrist (75 percent)
Ophthalmologist (71 percent)
Dentist (69 percent)
Podiatrist (68 percent)
Optometrist (54 percent)
Otolaryngologist (43 percent)
Psychologist (41 percent)
Chiropractor (31 percent)
Doctor of nursing practice (35 percent)
Audiologist (30 percent)
Nurse Practitioner (26 percent)
Physical Therapist (19 percent)
Midwife (7 percent)
Read the AMA survey on physicians.
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