Doctors

Yes, a licensed psychiatrist will have a medical degree such as the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), or the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

A bit more detail:

A psychiatrist has to go to medical school just as any other physician does, then has to study/work a few years longer doing his or her internship and residency to learn their chosen field of medicine in psychiatry. They treat the causes and symptoms of physical illnesses of the mind, such as bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, etc. and can write prescriptions just as any other physician can.

On the other hand, a psychologist, who treats emotional illnesses and disorders, is not a doctor of medicine and cannot write prescriptions. But once they get their doctorate degree (Ph.d.), they are a "doctor", just not a doctor of medicine, but a Ph.d. A very well known psychologist with a doctorate degree in psychology is Dr. Phil McGraw, more commonly known as Dr. Phil.

A gastroenterologist is a medical doctor

First you need to get your Bachelor's degree (4 years on average).

Next you need to go to medical school (4 years on average).

Then you complete a residency in Internal Medicine (3 years)

The you finish up with a fellowship in Gastroenterology (2-3 yrs, depends on the program).

So it takes 13-14 years to become a gastroenterologist after you graduate high school. And that is assuming that you don't take any time off, you get into medical school immediately, and you don't run into any obstacles along the way.

- thus the following.

The common path to practicing as a physician requires 8 years of education beyond high school and 3 to 8 additional years of internship and residency. All States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories license physicians.

Education and training. Formal education and training requirements for physicians are among the most demanding of any occupation-4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on the specialty selected. A few medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 years rather than the customary 8 years.

Premedical students must complete undergraduate work in physics, biology, mathematics, English, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the social sciences. Some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience in the health professions.

The minimum educational requirement for entry into medical school is 3 years of college; most applicants, however, have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. There are 146 medical schools in the United States-126 teach allopathic medicine and award a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree; 20 teach osteopathic medicine and award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.

Acceptance to medical school is highly competitive. Applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test, and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider an applicant's character, personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. Most schools require an interview with members of the admissions committee.

Students spend most of the first 2 years of medical school in laboratories and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical ethics, and laws governing medicine. They also learn to take medical histories, examine patients, and diagnose illnesses. During their last 2 years, students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics, learning acute, chronic, preventive, and rehabilitative care. Through rotations in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, they gain experience in the diagnosis and treatment of illness.

Following medical school, almost all M.D.s enter a residency-graduate medical education in a specialty that takes the form of paid on-the-job training, usually in a hospital. Most D.O.s serve a 12-month rotating internship after graduation and before entering a residency, which may last 2 to 6 years.

Licensure and certification. All States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories license physicians. To be licensed, physicians must graduate from an accredited medical school, pass a licensing examination, and complete 1 to 7 years of graduate medical education. Although physicians licensed in one State usually can get a license to practice in another without further examination, some States limit reciprocity. Graduates of foreign medical schools generally can qualify for licensure after passing an examination and completing a U.S. residency.

For the source and more detailed information concerning this subject, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated below this answer box.

A gastroenterologist is a physician. It takes approximately eight years beyond high school completion, and an additional three to eight years to complete the internship and residency requirements depending on the specialty. As far as the undergraduate major and coursework, read the following.

First, there is no such thing as a degree in pre-med. It is a curriculum layout or sometimes known as a track, that prepares students who intend to seek admission to medical schools. It includes activities such as prerequisite coursework, clinical experience, volunteer activities, and research.

While many individuals who pursue a career as a physician major in biology at the undergraduate level, many others come from a variety of other educational backgrounds. You should meet with a career counselor at the college or university you attend for what options exist for you. The important issue is preparing for the appropriate prerequisites required for medical school. The student should have a strong background in the following areas.

• Biology (cell biology, biology of the organism)
• Chemistry (inorganic, organic)
• Physics
• Communication (written and oral)
• Higher level math's
• Computer literacy
• Development of good critical thinking skills.