Physicians: MD vs DO & Specializations

• Physicians evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatments.
• Physicians can hold a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.

Osteopathic Medicine

• Practiced by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs).
• Emphasizes the musculoskeletal system with a holistic approach.

Allopathic Medicine

• Doctors of Medicine (MDs) use active intervention to counteract and neutralize the effects of diseases.

Type of Physician

• Generalists (family medicine, general internal medicine, and general pediatrics physicians) are primary care physicians.
• Specialists must seek certification in non-primary care specialities.

Specialist Examples

• Subspecialities of internal medicine.
• A broad group of medical specialties.
• Obstetrics and gynecology.
• Surgery
• Hospital-based radiology, anesthesiology, pathology.
• Psychiatry

Work Settings

• Physicians work in hospitals, public sectors, and public health departments.
• Most physicians have office-based practices.

Primary Care

• It is the first point of contact in the healthcare system.
• It acts as gatekeepers in managed care environments.
• It delivers longitudinal care
• It focuses on the person as a whole.

Specialty Care

• Generally follows primary care.
• Requires a referral from primary care physicians (PCPs).
• It is episodic.
• It centers on particular diseases with comorbidity, where patients have multiple problems.

Hospitalists

• Physicians specialize in the care of hospitalized patients
• Driven by hospital executives, HMOs, and medical groups aiming to reduce inpatient costs and increase efficiency, without compromising satisfaction.

Medical Training

• Medicare provides payments to teaching hospitals for each resident in training.
• The government does not mandate how these physicians should be trained.
• Needs to refocus on patient-centered care, general internal medicine, and longitudinal clinical experiences.

Supply of Medical Professionals

• Increase in physician labor force is aided by tax-financed subsides among specialists.

Maldistribution of Physicians

• It means either a surplus or a shortage of a needed physician type to maintain a population's health.
• It results in increased healthcare expenditures without a positive return in health outcomes.
• There are Geographic and specialty maldistributions

International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

• The ratio of IMGs to the U.S. population has increased.
• 25.6% of professionally active U.S. physicians are IMGs.
• In 2019, 58.8% of all IMGs matched to a U.S. residency program (up from 54.5% in 2018).

Dentists

• Diagnose and treat conditions related to the gums, tissue, and mouth.
• Required to be licensed by a dental school and pass both written & oral exams.
• There are nine specialty areas
• Must get either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

Dental Hygienists

• Work in dental offices and provide preventative care.
• Clean teeth and educate patients.
• Must be licensed.

Dental Assistants

• Work for dentists as assistants
• Do not have to be licensed, they sometimes have formal trainings

Pharmacists

• Dispense medicines prescribed by physicians, and provide consultation on proper selection and use of medicine.
• The Doctor of Pharmacy is required in all states, and you need to complete a state board examination

Other Healthcare Professionals

• optometrists are eye doctors with a Doctor of optometry degree (OD).
• Psychologists provide mental healthcare with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD).
• Podiatrists treat diseases or deformities of the feet. with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM).
• Chiropractors provide treatment through manipulation by hand, physiotherapy, and diet counseling with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).

Nursing Degrees

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DDN).
• Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS).
• Doctor of Philosophy of Nursing (PhD).

Nurses

• There are two non-doctoral degrees for nurses

Registered Nurses (RN)

• Supervise Licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/LVN).
• Assist doctors and cant write prescriptions - Must get ADN or BSN

Advanced Practice Nurses

• RNs with more education and clinical experience.

Specialties

• Clinical nurse specialists
• Certified in anesthetists
• Nurse practitioners
• Midwives

Midlevel Providers

• They do not have an MD or DO degree, so they are less than physicians, but more than RNs
• Nurse Practitioners have completed a study program and are competent RNs in an expanded role

Allied Health Professionals

• It is a broad field that includes technicians, assistants, therapists, and technologists.
• Technicians/assistants need less than 2 years of post-secondary education.
• Therapists/Technologists need more advanced training

Therapists

• Physical therapists provide care for patients with movement dysfunction.
• Occupational therapists help all ages improve their ability to perform daily living and working tasks.
• Occupational tharepists must have a masters degree

Overview of physicians' roles in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating patients. Differentiates between Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees. Discusses generalists, specialists, and various work environments including hospitals and public health.