attending doctor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attending doctor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the physician who is treating a patient. For example, "The attending doctor prescribed antibiotics for the patient's infection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The attending doctor was young and efficient.

The New York Times - Books

"Oh, she isn't here," the attending doctor told him.

The New York Times - Health

Although he recovered, the attending doctor noted that he was suffering from psychological problems.

Independent

The attending doctor suggested we give it a little more time.

The New York Times - Health

The attending doctor came over and asked him if he wanted to try to walk.

The New York Times - Health

Dick told the admitting nurses and the attending doctor about his condition.

The Guardian - Opinion

In NRS, the decision to give a particular treatment to a patient is made either by researchers or collectively by the attending doctor and patient.

Surgery (Oxford)

During the meeting, the attending doctor instructed the medical resident (a junior doctor) to order the anticoagulation treatment temporarily stopped.

The New York Times

Susi Vassallo, another attending doctor in the E.R., said, "Going to the hospital is not necessarily a humane activity".

The New York Times

But, in the hospital where I work, the attending doctor told me to "be a good patient".

The Guardian

Dr. Burtea said she begged a nighttime attending doctor to perform pressure-relieving surgery that saved the leg.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, use "attending doctor" to clearly identify the physician overseeing a patient's care, especially in a hospital setting.

Common error

Avoid using "attending doctor" interchangeably with terms like "resident" or "intern". The "attending doctor" has ultimate responsibility for patient care, while residents and interns are in training.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attending doctor" functions as a noun phrase identifying a specific role within the medical field. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, referring to the physician directly responsible for a patient's care.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attending doctor" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term to describe the physician responsible for a patient's care, particularly in a hospital environment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. Usage analysis reveals its frequent occurrence in news and media, scientific publications and formal business documents. When writing, be precise and avoid using "attending doctor" interchangeably with terms like "resident" or "intern" to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

treating physician

Focuses on the act of providing medical care at a particular time.

primary doctor

Emphasizes the doctor's role as the main healthcare provider.

physician on duty

Highlights the doctor's presence and responsibility during a specific shift.

hospital physician

Broad term indicating a doctor affiliated with a hospital.

doctor in charge

Indicates the doctor has the leadership role.

medical practitioner

A general term for someone qualified to practice medicine.

consultant physician

Specifies a physician providing expert advice in a particular field.

the patient's doctor

Emphasizes the doctor's relationship to a specific patient.

on-call doctor

Highlights availability for urgent medical situations.

resident doctor

Refers to a physician in training within a hospital setting.

FAQs

What is the role of an "attending doctor"?

The "attending doctor" is a physician who has completed residency and is responsible for overseeing the care of patients, often in a hospital setting. They supervise residents and medical students while making final decisions about treatment.

Is an "attending doctor" the same as a primary care physician?

Not necessarily. While a primary care physician can be an "attending doctor" in a hospital, the term generally refers to a doctor overseeing hospital care. A primary care physician may also work in an outpatient clinic.

What are some alternatives to saying "attending doctor"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "treating physician", "hospital physician", or "primary doctor".

How does an "attending doctor" differ from a resident?

An "attending doctor" has completed their medical training and is fully licensed to practice medicine independently. A resident is a physician who is still in training, working under the supervision of an "attending doctor".