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Types of Doctoral Degrees
From the guy who fits your glasses at Wal-Mart to the surgeon who operates on you, today everyone calls themselves a "doctor". But few people understand what the differences are between the various titles. Here is a general synopsis of the degrees. You will be surprised at how many different degrees there are. The degrees are listed in order depending on their recognition level with higher degrees first. Doctors usually get paid the same for the same job no matter their degree level. Therefore, the more knowledge you have about your doctor, the better.
M.D. - Medical Doctor (Rarely referred to as an allopathic doctor), This is the usual doctor that you go to for anything from aches and pains to surgery. They are considered the ultimate medical degree and it is the hardest degree to obtain and thus it is the "gold standard" in medicine. The government regulates their activities, their schools and their boards. M.D.'s can only be board certified through special boards designed for them but they cannot go down the ladder and be boarded through lesser boards. Medical schools can only be built after approval by the government and are under strict regulations for quality. The American Board of Medical Specialties governs most of the M.D. Boards. The AMA loosely represents M.D.'s but there is no national organization that strictly represents M.D.'s.
D.D.S. - Doctor of Dental Surgery - Dentists: These doctors go to similar schools as M.D.'s. Their schools are government regulated and their training quality is controlled by the government. They have the ability to perform most oral surgeries and administer anesthesia. Some go on to become Oral Surgeons which is the highest level within the field and these doctors perform facial reconstructive surgery. They are represented by the American Dental Association (ADA).
D.M.D. - Doctor of Medical Dentistry - Basically the same as a D.D.S. but the degree came about in an attempt to have people recognize the degree as a similar level as the M.D. degree (which it basically is) or that these students trained with regular M.D.s which was also true. Some claim that D.D.S. have more surgical experience but generally most agree that the degrees are similar in caliber.
D.O. - Osteopathic Doctor - In the past D.O.'s practiced much as chiropractors do today, with time they gradually moved away from their osteopathic roots and most now practice medicine similar to M.D.'s. This is considered a lesser degree since most D.O.'s apply to medical school (M.D. school) but when not accepted utilize D.O. school as an alternative to entering the practice of medicine. This is a well known fact in the medicine world but few speak of it. D.O. schools are not regulated by the government and they have their own board system. They are allowed to enter M.D. residencies when there are extra openings and they can go up the ladder by taking M.D. Boards. D.O.'s are represented by their own organization, the American Osteopathic Association as well as the AMA.
D.N.P. - Doctor of Nursing Practice - Not to be outdone by the other doctors, nurses now have a doctoral degree that is supposed to equate with the other doctoral degrees. This degree level will include the nurse practitioner (AANP) and nurse anesthetists (CRNA). These nurses have the ability to prescribe various medications (usually not including narcotics) but they can't admit to the hospital. This degree is in attempt to move these nursing degree up to a doctoral level to gain independence from the doctors that they currently have to work under. It is very likely that the nurses will gain this independence in the future and that D.N.P.'s will be equal to D.O.'s and some M.D.'s. Nurses are essential to every aspect of healthcare and many of them function at levels similar to doctors but without the degrees. They are represented by the American Nursing Association.
D.P.M.- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine - These are doctor that specifically work on problems of the feet. These doctors came about because regular M.D.'s (orthopedic surgeons) generally felt that the feet were below their skills and they didn't want to want on bunions, etc. Now podiatry is a recognized profession that treats most feet problems and performs surgery. They are below the level of the other doctors since they do not go to medical school and they cannot admit people to the hospital without either a M.D. or D.O. cosigning for the patient. They have been trying to expand their speciality but working on the lower leg and they hope to eventually extent their profession to the entire leg. They are represented by the American Association of Podiatric Medicine.
D.C. - Chiropractor - Chiropractors practice osteopathic manipulation therapy which is what D.O.'s are taught. This is the common manipulation therapy that many people go to get for minor aches and pain. D.C.'s are gradually moving up as D.O.'s have and they can order radiological tests, certain labs, and possibly medications in certain states. Although there has never been a study that shows that chiropractic therapy helps for long term care, many claim it is quite beneficial for short term pains. Chiropractic schools have similar regulation as D.O. schools. They are represented by the American Chiropractic Association.
N.D. - Naturopathic Doctor - These doctors utilize natural herbs and other homeopathic treatments to help patients. In some states they have the ability to prescribe medications order laboratory tests etc. They have many similarities to early osteopathic medicine (which now more closely resembles regular medicine). They believe in holistic care and often consider their holistic treatments as supplementary to regular medicine treatments. As they gain acceptance, they will gradually move closer to regular medicine as the osteopaths have. They are represented by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
D.P.T. - Doctor of Physical Therapy - Essentially this is the same as a regular physical therapist (P.T.). This doctoral level was devised because many P.T.'s are trying to get to a level where they can self refer patients to themselves. Currently, only the doctors above can refer patients to a P.T. and thus many P.T.'s feel that can can't actively pursue patients. Medicare is preventing this ability since they feel this might cause an over-utilization of the system. Nonetheless, it is likely that they will become truly independent in the future. Their hope is that this will remedy their situation. Otherwise, P.T.'s are active and effective caregivers in the healthcare field. They help encourage rehabilitation and improve function of patients who suffer from injuries or just general loss of function. They are represented by the American Physical Therapy Association.
O.D. - Doctor of Optometry - These are the doctors that you find at eyeglass stores. They specialize in the eye and can treat many eye diseases but they do not perform surgery such as an ophthalmologist (which is usually a M.D. and occasionally a D.O.) In some states they can prescribe medications but they never have hospital privileges. They are represented by the American Optometric Association.
AUD - Doctor of Audiology - These professionals deal with hearing loss and generally fit patients with hearing aids, etc. They do not have hospital privileges and they cannot write prescriptions.
O.M.D. Oriental Medical Doctor - more commonly called an acupuncturist. They are not regulated by the government and they are represented by NOMAA. They believe in ancient orient treatments that include use of acupuncture to treat pain and other medical conditions. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for certain painful conditions but it has not be shown to work for basic medical conditions such as high blood pressure.
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