A MD and PhD are both higher forms of education. One key difference between the two titles is that an MD is explicitly a medical qualification, whereas a PhD can be obtained within the medical sphere as well as in the majority of other courses offered at a university. For example, one can gain a PhD in history, but not a MD.
A PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy and the highest academic degree available in relation to medicine. However, it is also obtainable in many other areas aside from medicine. Typically, a graduate with a PhD will entertain a career in the form of research or teaching. However it is viable for someone with a PhD to have doctor-patient consultancy, this usually is as a therapist or psychologist for example. However, with only a PhD to their name, this doctor cannot prescribe any medication.
A MD qualification stands for a Doctorate of Medicine and implies a more practical element in a medical profession. Typically an MD is gained after completing an undergraduate course, attending medical school and completing in-employment medical work experience. The result of gaining a MD is that the doctor can work as a medical practitioner.
Differences between an MD and a PhD include the length of time it takes to gain the two titles. As the PhD is research based, it entertains the idea of pursuing a career which is based in academia rather than treatment based. Fields of study also differ when studying for the two qualifications. For example, when studying for a MD, you specialize in areas like neurosurgery or pediatrics. When pursuing a PhD, you can look at various areas such as social sciences and arts. The main difference between the two qualifications, is that a PhD can be gained in any field, studying any subject, whilst the MD is strictly a specialist medical degree.