Difference between Doctor and Pharmacist
A doctor is a licensed practioner of medicine who either takes care of the over all health of his patients or specializes in a specific area. A pharmacist is not a licensed medical practioner but is someone who has training in handling medicinal substances and drugs so that they can be administered to the patients as prescribed by a doctor.
Roles and Responsibilities
Doctors are usually appointed to be in-charge of the various departments inside a health care facility or anchor a standalone medical practice. Doctors are experts at what they are trained to do and a part of their ongoing education has do with knowing how old and new drugs alike work – according their specialization.
Pharmacist is in charge of dispensing the right drug in the right amount to doctor’s patients. The amount and combination is traditionally prescribed by a doctor and that is what is followed by the pharmacist. Since the pharmaceutical industry has become more modernized now and the drug stores no longer need to mix individual chemicals to make medicines, the pharmacists role has somewhat diminished.
Importance
Doctors have a very important place in society as they are educated in and experienced with medical knowledge and training. People depend on doctors for treatment and receiving the appropriate dosage of prescription drugs. There has been a significant increase in the number of diseases around the world and hence doctors play a very big role in educating patients to by using precautions and treatments at any stage of any disease. Many diseases (tuberculosis, malaria, dengue etc.) which were thought to be incurable earlier can now be cured or at least managed effectively.
The work of a pharmacist is supportive to this cause. They dispense the medication, as advised by the doctor, to the patient. Their constant presence in the pharmacy gives them in depth and practical knowledge of medicine, which often comes in handy in the absence of a trained doctor. Also, it ensures that they do not dispense the wrong medicine to the wrong patient.
Education
In order to become a doctor, a person goes through years of rigorous studying and after completing graduation he or she can opt for a master’s degree in a more specialized field within medicine. The studies are usually followed by apprenticeship training under senior doctors. Different countries have been known to have slight differences in the medical course. However, the basic study emphasis remains the same.
On the other hand a pharmacist does not need such a long span of time to finish the course from a pharmacy school. Pharmacists’ generally study pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, physiology etc. Pharmacists’ are trained to look for possible drug interactions. For instance, if a patient is being treated by more than one doctor, the pharmacist reviews the list of drugs on file for the patient and advises the patient about what possible warning signs to look for. Pharmacists’ also advise doctors when they see that the patient’s drugs may be harmful. Finally, the pharmacist is always available to talk to patients about how and when to use drugs in the most beneficial way.
Similarities and Differences
The medical world is made up of a symbiotic relationship between the doctor and the pharmacist. The smooth functioning of these two professionals is highly required for the administration of proper medical care.
- Doctors are trained in medicine and the treatment of diseases.
- Doctors are often known to create new methods of treatment and discover new medicines.
- Pharmacists are in charge of dispensing medicine through a pharmacy.
- Pharmacists help in not only compounding and dispensing medicine, but also with reviewing prescriptions, administering correct dosages to the patients in order to ensure their safety.
