Segédorvos

Segédorvos is a title used in Hungarian-speaking medical contexts for a physician who has completed medical training and works as an assistant or junior doctor. The role is typically found in hospitals, clinics, or other care settings and generally involves practicing under the supervision of a more senior physician. The segédorvos serves as a bridge between graduation from medical school and full specialization, gaining practical clinical experience and contributing to patient care.

Duties commonly include taking patient histories, performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting basic laboratory tests and imaging, participating in rounds, and assisting in procedures or minor operations under supervision. They may draft progress notes, discharge summaries, and treatment plans, as well as coordinate with nurses and other health professionals. Responsibility for independent decision-making is usually limited by institutional rules and supervision.

Education and career path: After earning a medical degree, a segédorvos may enter such a position to accumulate hands-on experience before applying for residency or specialization. The exact scope of practice and authority varies by country and institution. In some contexts the role corresponds to what in English might be called an intern or resident, while in others it reflects a largely historical designation.

Historical context: The term has roots in Hungary and the Austro-Hungarian period, where segédorvos operated under the supervision of chief physicians in hospitals, including in rural settings. In modern practice, the title is less common in daily usage, having been largely replaced by terms like rezidens (resident) or gyakorló orvos in contemporary medical training systems.

See also: orvos, rezidens, főorvos.