MD (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Medicine) is the professional degree held by physicians licensed to diagnose and treat illness, prescribe medications, and perform medical procedures. Becoming an MD requires completing undergraduate education, four years of medical school, and residency training in a specialty area. Physicians are licensed provincially through colleges of physicians and surgeons that set standards and handle complaints. While healthcare is primarily provincial jurisdiction, municipalities interact with physicians through public health departments, emergency medical services, and healthcare facility planning. Adequate physician supply affects community health and is a concern in rural and remote areas experiencing doctor shortages.