Definition

1. Noun:
   • A resident doctor in a hospital: A "house physician" is a doctor, typically one in training such as an intern or resident, who resides at or is provided accommodation by a hospital. Their primary role is to provide immediate and continuous care to hospitalized patients under the direct supervision and guidance of the hospital's senior medical staff.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The on-call house physician responded quickly to the emergency.
  • After graduating, she worked as a house physician at the city hospital for a year.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical or specific institutional contexts to describe a live-in medical role, distinguishing it from attending physicians or consultants who do not reside on-site.
  • In the early 20th century, the house physician was a central figure in hospital wards.

Variants and Related Words

• Resident (n): A more common modern term for a graduate doctor receiving specialized training in a hospital. While similar, a "resident" may not necessarily live in the hospital.
• Intern (n): A doctor in the first year of postgraduate training, often fulfilling the role of a house physician.
• House officer (n): A broadly synonymous term used in some medical systems.

Synonyms

• Resident physician
• Medical resident
• House officer

Related Phrases

• To be in house: Refers to a service or professional, like a physician, who is physically present and available within the institution.
  • We have a cardiologist in house today for consultations.

Noun

1. a physician (especially an intern) who lives in a hospital and cares for hospitalized patients under the supervision of the medical staff of the hospital
   • the resident was receiving special clinical training at the hospital