What is the difference between a medical professional and a healthcare professional?

While both terms are used to refer to individuals who provide care and support, there are some key differences between medical professionals and healthcare professionals.

Medical professionals:

• Hold a license from a state or country and are regulated by that government.
• Have completed medical school and passed a licensing exam.
• Have completed residency training, which is a period of supervised practice after medical school.
• Are licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.
• Provide medical care in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings.

Healthcare professionals:

• Do not hold a license from a state or country and are not regulated by that government.
• Do not have to complete medical school or pass a licensing exam.
• Do not complete residency training.
• Are not licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.
• Provide non-medical care, such as counseling, education, or social services.

In addition to these differences, medical professionals are typically employed in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings, while healthcare professionals can work in a variety of settings, including schools, community organizations, and private practice.

Ultimately, the best way to determine the difference between a medical professional and a healthcare professional is to ask the individual what they do and where they work.