| by Allana Wooley |Written out, these acronyms look like a terrible Scrabble hand. With nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population actively employed in the field of health care, trying to sort out all of the definitions, certifications, requirements and specializations of each practitioner can be a daunting task. To help you out, here's a cheat sheet for the next time you need to make a medical appointment. While we've covered the meanings, services offered and education required of each designation, ultimately choosing the right provider for you is a personal decision. Just use this to sort out the confusion.
M.D.
What it means: Doctor of Medicine/Medical Doctor Who they are: M.D.s include any doctor licensed through an M.D. program. This includes primary care physicians to specialists in fields as diverse as endocrinology or neurology. They diagnose and treat any bodily complaint. How they got there: To become an M.D., one must complete a four-year bachelor's degree in any major, though all must take the prerequisites of chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, English, and calculus. This is followed by a four- to seven-year term at a medical school for a Doctorate of Medicine (M.D.) where both Steps 1 and 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) must be passed. A three-year residency in the specialty of choice then follows, whereupon Step 3 of the USMLE must be passed. Although not required, many M.D.s go on to pursue fellowships of one to two or more years of additional specialized training.
D.O.
What it means: Doctor of Osteopathy Who they are: A D.O., like an M.D., is a complete, licensed physician. D.O.s emphasize a more holistic approach to treating the body. Focusing on the entire body as an interconnected system, D.O.s encourage therapeutic techniques and preventative care to address bodily maladies. How they got there: The path to becoming a D.O. is quite similar to the path M.D.s take. A four-year bachelor's degree with an emphasis in science courses must be obtained, as does an extensive graduate medical education (though, at this time, acceptance into a D.O. program does have slightly less stringent admissions requirements). D.O. programs put special emphasis on the muscular and skeletal systems as keys to treating the whole body. D.O. graduates apply to the same residencies and fellowships as M.D.s.
N.P.
What it means: Nurse Practitioner Who they are: An N.P. is a registered nurse with graduate education and clinical training to provide healthcare services. They are able to diagnose and manage many medical conditions, including writing prescriptions. N.P.s value patient-provider communication and listening. How they got there: Nurse practitioners must first earn a B.S. in nursing and a state licensure as an R.N. Most will work as a nurse for a few years before entering an N.P. program, which takes between one to two years to complete.
P.A.
What it means: Physician's Assistant Who they are: A P.A. practices medicine just as an M.D. or D.O. would, but they must work under the supervision of a licensed physician. The supervising physician will establish the limits of what a PA is allowed to do. P.A.s generally handle common medical concerns, referring complex or acute problems to the supervising physician. How they got there: P.A. candidates must obtain a bachelor's degree, with the same prerequisite courses required of medical school candidates. The actual P.A. program involves two to three years of graduate education. P.A.s learn everything from the behavioral to the physical sciences and must complete more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations. P.A.s must also pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam and earn licensure by the state in which they intend to practice.
Specialty Health Care Providers
D.C. - Doctor of Chiropractic There is often confusion about whether or not chiropractors are doctors. They are doctors similar to non-medical doctors in other allied health care professions like optometry, podiatry, dentistry and psychology. Chiropractors usually have the academic degree of Doctor of Chiropractic, which is awarded after an average of eight years of university training. However, medical doctors are allowed to prescribe medication while chiropractors are not (except in a few states, usually nutritional and homeopathic items).
Dale L. White Jr., D.C. is the clinical director of River Oaks Chiropractic Clinic in Fort Worth. He has been in private practice for 35 years. "It's different in every state, but the main difference between M.D.s and D.C.s in Texas is that Doctors of Chiropractic are natural, conservative care doctors that treat the musculoskeletal biomechanical system of the human body. They do this by natural means such as physical therapy modalities, rehabilitation, acupuncture and manual manipulation of the spine," White says.
D.P.M. - Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Podiatrists treat far more than toenail fungus, calluses and bunions. In fact, podiatrists are highly trained foot and ankle surgeons who have received in-depth training to address problems, injuries and complaints of the lower extremities.
General medical doctors and orthopedists may cover the feet and ankles in just a few weeks of training, while podiatrists invest years in understanding the complexities of these parts of the body.
To become a doctor of podiatric medicine, podiatrists have completed podiatry-specific medical school training, clinical rotations in medicine and surgery and a minimum three-year residency in podiatric medicine and surgery. To maintain board certification, podiatrists must also complete regular continuing education and training activities.
Optometrist or Ophthalmologist? An optometrist is an eye doctor who has earned the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. Optometrists examine eyes for both vision and health problems, and correct refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. Optometrists in the U.S. also are licensed to prescribe medications to treat certain eye problems and diseases. State law determines the scope of medical care that can be provided by optometrists.
An optometrist generally must complete a four-year college degree program in the sciences, plus four years of post-graduate professional training in optometry school. Like ophthalmologists, optometrists are required to fulfill continuing education requirements on an ongoing basis to maintain their licensure.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) or an osteopathic doctor (D.O.) who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medications and perform eye surgery. They also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Ophthalmologists generally complete four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of internship and a minimum of three years of hospital-based residency in ophthalmology.
