Dohtors

Dohtors are a class of medical practitioners encountered mainly in speculative fiction, role-playing games, and some video games. They are defined by integrating traditional medical care with advanced computational tools, data networks, and sometimes biomechanical augmentation. The name is a stylized variation of "doctor" intended to reflect their augmented or technocultural setting.

Practitioners typically diagnose and treat disease, perform procedures, and advise on public health within their jurisdiction, but they often operate in environments where data sharing, rapid triage, and ethical considerations with AI and patient privacy are central. In many settings, Dohtors also act as information coordinators, interpreting sensor streams and coordinating with nurses, technicians, and external support crews.

Training for Dohtors is usually longer than ordinary medical education in-universe and combines medical schooling with training in data handling, cybernetics, or alien biologies, depending on setting. Certification may require apprenticeships with senior Dohtors and passing practical simulations and ethical audits.

Tools commonly associated with Dohtors include wearable diagnostic implants, augmented reality displays, diagnostic AI, and patient-monitoring networks. Some depictions emphasize autonomy and the ability to alter or augment patient biology, raising debates about consent and safety.

Because Dohtors are a fictional concept, their characteristics vary by work. They often reflect themes about the convergence of medicine and technology, the ethics of data in healing, and the social status of medical professionals in future societies.