Physicians Are Not Providers: The Ethical Significance of Names in Health Care: A Policy Paper From the American College of Physicians

Annals of Internal Medicine 2026

View at publisher
Authors: Lois Snyder Sulmasy, Jan K. Carney, Noel N. Deep, Alejandro Moreno, Alicia I. Arbaje, Micah W. Beachy, Eduardo Bruera, Tatjana Calvano, Erin S. DeMartino, Ashley W. Fellers McKenzie, Kyle E. Karches, Laurie Lyckholm
+2 more Luis Isea Mercado, Ikaasa Suri
DOI: 10.7326/annals-25-03852
Cited by: 3
References: 15

Abstract

More than 25 years ago, Pellegrino and Relman noted the increasing commercialization of the learned professions, anticipating what many physicians are increasingly experiencing today: an impairment of their ability to practice in accordance with standards of medical ethics and professionalism. These hurdles to the physician’s ability to do right by the patient contribute to what leaders in medicine and the American College of Physicians have called deprofessionalization. An example is the use of the term provider to describe physicians and other health professionals. The use of this terminology has been reviewed in medical journal articles but has not been adequately explored as a matter of ethics and professionalism. Through that lens, this paper examines the trends, significance, and implications for patients, physicians, and health care of the use of the term provider.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Medical Research and Practices Medical and Biological Sciences Healthcare Systems and Technology

Publication details

Journal / source
Annals of Internal Medicine
Publisher
American College of Physicians
Volume
179
Issue
4
Pages
556–558
Publication date
9 February 2026
Language
EN