There are conventionally 3 categories of physicians in the Philippines: basic-generalist physicians; specialist physicians; and subspecialist physicians.
A graduate of a conventional medical school in the Philippines is a basic-generalist physician. A basic-generalist physician is one who is competent in the basic processes and skills in managing the general health concerns of individuals, families, and communities. He / she can be known as primary care physician or general practitioner. A primary care physician is the first health professional to examine a patient and who recommend secondary care physicians, medical or surgical specialists or subspecialists with expertise in the patient’s specific health problem, if further treatment is needed. A primary health care physician is one who utilizes primary health approach (see World Health Organization's concept of primary health care approach) in the management of patients.
*Primary healthcare (PHC) refers to "essential health care" that is based on scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology, which make universal health care accessible to all individuals and families in a community.
A specialist physician is a basic-generalist physician who afterward undergoes focused and in-depth training to be competent in managing certain specific health concerns of individuals, families, and communities. He / she can be a family medicine physician, internist, pediatrician, obstetrics-gynecologist, general surgeon, neurologist, etc.
A subspecialist physician is a basic-generalist physician and a specialist physician who afterward undergoes focused and in-depth training to be competent in managing certain specific area of his / her specialty.
The following table shows the other differences among the 3 categories of physicians (applicable to clinician-physicians):
Note 1: Ideally, the specialist and subspecialist should maintain the basic-generalist competencies.
Note 2: Ideally, the subspecialist should maintain the specialist competencies.
The following table will encompasses both clinician- and non-clinician physicians like public health physicians, hospital administration physicians, etc.
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