A professional who diagnoses and treats variety of diseases and injuries in general practice. Responsibilities include:

• Examines patients, using medical instruments and equipment.
• Orders or executes various tests, analyses, and diagnostic images to provide information on patient's condition.
• Analyzes reports and findings of tests and of examination, and diagnoses condition.
• Administers or prescribes treatments and drugs.
• Inoculates and vaccinates patients to immunize patients from communicable diseases.
• Advises patients concerning diet, hygiene, and methods for prevention of disease.
• Provides prenatal care to pregnant women, delivers babies, and provides postnatal care to mother and infant (obstetrician ).
• Reports births, deaths, and outbreak of contagious diseases to governmental authorities.
• Refers patients to medical specialist or other practitioner for specialized treatment.
• Performs minor surgery.
• May make house and emergency calls to attend to patients unable to visit office or clinic.
• May conduct physical examinations to provide information needed for admission to school, consideration for jobs, or eligibility for insurance coverage.
• May provide care for passengers and crew aboard ship and be designated Ship's Doctor.