lääkärin

Lääkärin is the genitive singular form of lääkäri, the Finnish word for a physician or medical doctor. In Finnish, the genitive is used to express possession or association, so lääkärin appears in phrases describing what belongs to or is done by a doctor. Examples include lääkärin vastaanotto (the doctor's office/clinic), lääkärin määräykset (the doctor's orders), and lääkärin lausunto (the doctor's certificate or statement).

In practice, physicians diagnose, treat, and prevent illness, provide medical care, and advise patients. They perform examinations, interpret test results, prescribe medications, order further investigations, and coordinate care. Doctors may work in hospitals, health centers, private clinics, or in specialized settings. They can be general practitioners (yleislääkäri) or pursue specialization (erikoislääkäri). The title and roles are regulated to maintain patient safety and professional standards.

Education and licensing in Finland typically require completing university-level medical studies, resulting in a degree that authorizes medical practice. After training and internships, graduates must obtain licensure from the relevant regulatory authority (Valvira) to practice medicine. Continuous professional development and, for many, specialty training are part of maintaining qualifications.

The word lääkärin thus functions mainly as a possessive form in Finnish, used to describe things associated with a lääkäri. It is not a standalone title; the base noun lääkäri denotes the practitioner, while lääkärin connects ownership or relation in everyday and professional usage.