Do you need a Ph.D to be a general surgeon?

You need to be a medical physician with a recognized medical degree from an accredited medical school such as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree, or a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS/MBChB) degree with a specialization in surgery. A PhD is not usually a physician though there are some individuals who have completed a medical scientist program (dual degree) and have a D.O./Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. The abbreviation Ph.D. stands for Doctor of Philosophy and is usually a research doctorate degree.