Registered medical practitioner

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A medical practitioner is a Medical Doctor who is registered with the relevant body, and as such is licenced to practice medicine. In the United Kingdom for example, the General Medical Council (GMC) is legally obliged to maintain a Principal List of Registered Medical Practitioners. Those with an appropriate medical degree may be admitted to the list, and as such are then able to legally practice medicine. The specific title "Medical Practitioner" is a protected title by law, and only applies to those listed in the Medical Register (Medical Doctors). Nurse practitioners and physicians assistants are not legally permitted to use the title, and doing so may result in prosecution. Whilst these professionals carry out similar roles, the title has been protected by law to make clear to the public who is entitled to practice medicine independently of supervision and who is not. Being a Registered Medical Practitioner carries with it certain privileges such as the authority to sign death certificates, cremation forms, do-not-resuscitate orders and prescriptions for drugs. The medical practitioner is the person who is ultimately responsible for care of the patient.