According to Webster's II New College Dictionary, a physician is "a natural philosopher, a person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one duly authorized to prescribe remedies for, and treat, diseases; a doctor of medicine." A scientist is one who is "learned in the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena." The combination of these definitions precisely describes a physician scientist.

A physician scientist typically has two very different aspects to his or her career. All of the traditional duties of a physician are performed, including caring for patients. The usual responsibilities of conducting rounds in the hospital and treating patients in clinic are also carried out. The physician may be a generalist who sees all types of illnesses, or a specialist whose practice focuses on a certain organ system. An example would be a nephrologist or renal doctor, who cares...