Doctor pleased to have passed (7)
I believe the answer is:
elapsed
'passed' is the definition.
('elapse' can be a synonym of 'pass')
'doctor pleased' is the wordplay.
'doctor' indicates anagramming the letters.
'pleased' anagrammed gives 'ELAPSED'.
'to have' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for elapsed that I've seen before include "Went by" , "Passed, of time" , "slipped away" , "Pleased (anag.)" , "Pleased to have passed" .)