Which one of the following groups was first referred to as physicians?

The first group referred to as physicians were shamans. This is because shamans are recognized as early healers and practitioners of medicine in many cultures, often holding a revered position within their communities. They used a combination of herbal remedies, rituals, and spiritual guidance to treat ailments. The term "physician" is derived from the Greek word "physikos," which refers to nature, capturing the essence of what shamans did—understanding and working with the natural world to promote healing and well-being.

Other groups, such as barbers, midwives, and Catholic priests, have provided important health-related services throughout history, but they were not the first to be referred to as physicians. Barbers, for instance, performed surgical procedures along with grooming but were generally not regarded as formal physicians. Midwives specialized in childbirth and maternal care but did not encompass the full scope of medical practice. Catholic priests were primarily focused on spiritual care and religious sacraments, rather than medical treatment in the way shamans operated. Therefore, shamans distinctly identified with the term "physicians" in the historical context of early medicine.