Why do doctors refer to their work as 'practice'?

Answer 1

Doctor's 'Practice'I don't know for sure, but probably because the more work they do, they are also getting more practice. If you are a professional athlete, every time you play your sport, you get better at it. That's kind of the same thing here.

If this is the case, shouldn't doctors actually be "playing" medicine?

to be practiced, to know by experience, to understand

So to sum up they are "playing doctor". Then the natural follow-up question would be, "Can you be sued for malpractice if you play doctor without a liscense?" - Rocky_B

AnswerBecause as hard as they try, they never get it completely right. And that's why "patients" are named after the 'patience' they need to cope with a doctor's trials and errors. Another answeris not an exact science to a majority of the time treatments are going to be trail and error. Each person responds differently which also makes treat a trail and error. An antibiotic that works for me may not work for you so a doctor will have to try you on a different antibiotic or two before they find one that works with you.

Yet another answer

The word practice derives from the Greek word praktikos meaning fit for doing. The definition of practice therefore covers ; the habit of doing anything; frequent use; performance; method; medical treatment and the exercise of any profession. It can also relate to a rule in arithmetic.

Answer 2

Doctors refer to their work as 'practice' because they are constantly learning and honing their skills throughout their careers. Medicine is a complex field that requires continuous improvement and adaptation to new developments, hence the term 'practice' reflects the ongoing nature of their work.