dokter

Dokter is the term used in Dutch-speaking regions and in several Southeast Asian languages to denote a physician. A dokter is a medical professional who diagnoses illnesses, develops treatment plans, performs examinations, orders and interprets tests, prescribes medications, and provides preventive care and health guidance. Doctors work in a range of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and public health programs, and they often collaborate with nurses, pharmacists, and other specialists. Many doctors specialize in fields such as general practice, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, or psychiatry; others pursue roles in research or administration.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Latin "doctor" through Dutch usage, and is widely understood in Indonesia and other countries that use the term "dokter" for physicians. In Dutch-speaking contexts, the more formal professional title is "arts" (doctor of medicine), and "huisarts" refers to a general practitioner.

Training and regulation: In most countries, becoming a dokter requires completing a medical degree followed by postgraduate training. In the Netherlands, for example, graduates must register with the national regulatory body (the BIG-register) to practice and often undertake residency or specialization training. Similar licensing systems exist elsewhere to ensure professional standards, ethics, and patient safety.