The Doctor of Medicine (Latin: Medicinae Doctor, meaning "teacher of medicine," abbreviated M.D.) is a terminal medical degree for practitioners of medicine. The meaning of the degree varies between different countries. In countries that follow the United States system, the M.D. denotes a first professional graduate degree awarded upon initial graduation from medical school. Elsewhere, such as those countries that follow the tradition of the United Kingdom, Doctor of Medicine denotes a research doctorate, higher doctorate, honorary doctorate or advanced clinical coursework degree that is only available to those who have been previously awarded a first professional qualification in medicine. In those countries, the first professional degree is titled differently, such as Bachelor of Medicin