From MD to MA, a Breakdown on Health Care Professionals | Banner

学习ABC与1-2-3一样容易，但是在理解医疗标题时，您可能会遇到字母汤。这是因为如今，您的护理可能由各种卫生保健提供者或临床护理团队领导，他们的名字背后有不同的信件。

You probably know that an MD is a medical doctor. But a DO, doctor of osteopathy, is also a medical doctor who undergoes similar rigorous education and training. Then you add in other members of a medical team, such as a PA, NP, MA and more, and it can get a bit confusing.

With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of some of the medical professionals who might treat you in hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices. This will help you make sense of “the soup” and know who’s who and who does what.

The who’s who of medical care

MDs and DOs

大多数初级保健团队由医学博士（医生）或DO（骨质疗法医生）领导。

具有MD指定的医生就读于一所同种疗法（或传统）医学院联络医学教育委员会。

做一个从骨质疗法医学院毕业的医生授予了DOCommission on Osteopathic College Accreditation。

MD和确实有什么共同点？

Both MDs and DOs undergo the most extensive training of any health care professional. They both complete lengthy education—typically including a four-year undergraduate degree, four years of medical school or college of osteopathic medicine and three to seven years of residency training after receiving their medical degrees. Some will go on to do fellowships to learn more about a specialty, such as interventional cardiology or internal medicine.

他们都必须在执业并参加正在进行的医学教育的州获得医疗许可证。许多人还根据需要在某些专业中寻求董事会认证并完成重新认证。

When it comes to patient care, an MD and DO both can:

诊断和治疗急性和慢性病
Order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests
将患者推荐给其他医疗保健专家
开药和其他治疗

How does a DO differ from a MD?

While both have the same amount of education and can diagnose and treat patients, theydiffer in their approach去医学。

An MD focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases, observing symptoms and treating them directly. They tend to take a more targeted approach to treatment.

考虑整个身体系统，营养和日常环境，确实采用更全面的方法或一种全身方法来诊断和治疗。Do还必须花费更多的时间来培训骨质疗法的操纵医学（OMT）。DOS了解骨骼，神经和肌肉如何共同工作并影响健康。使用OMT，DO可以治疗肌肉和关节以减轻疼痛，促进愈合并增加活动能力。

NP – Nurse Practitioner

A NP, one of four advanced practice nursing specialties, is a registered nurse who has completed a Master of Science or doctoral degree (DNP) and advanced clinical training. They must then receive national certification in one of several specialties, such as acute care, pediatrics or women’s health.

NPs遵循集中大量的护理模式on the impact of the diagnosis and treatment on the patient. An NP can help diagnose and treat patients with routine and complex medical conditions, prescribe medications, educate patients about healthy lifestyle choices and serve as a patient’s main health care provider. In some states, however, NPs work under the supervision of a physician to prescribe medication.

PA – Physician Assistant

PA是一家获得全国认证的国家许可提供商，他接受了与医生的团队的一员一起培训。大多数PA都完成了四年制大学课程，再完成两到三年的研究生教育。

PAS遵循医学模型，该模型更加重视疾病，解剖学和人体的生理学。他们进行了广泛的医学培训，可以诊断疾病，制定和管理治疗计划，开药，执行程序并作为患者的初级卫生保健提供者。PA经常与医生合作。

PA和NP在初级保健实践中的价值

不是和NPs经常能看到病人肾阳tine exams and illnesses sooner than physicians, which allows patients to access care sooner. However, they always consult with the caring physician regarding patient care, including the treatment plan and any concerns that may require follow-up. They can consult with the physician immediately if there is a question or bring the physician in to see the patient, if necessary.

医疗保健的其他缩写是什么意思？

Here’s a rundown of a few other initials who you might find caring for you.

DPM (doctor of podiatric medicine):DPM（也称为足病医生）可以同时是外科医生和医生，并且专门研究腿的脚，脚踝和结构。在治疗下肢疾病，疾病和伤害方面，它们是最合格的。奇怪的是，他们既不是MD，也不是这样做，但是足病医生确实接受了严格的训练。他们完成了四年的足病学院和至少两年的研究生居住培训。
RN（注册护士）：An RN is a medical professional with a four-year nursing degree who has passed a licensing exam. RNs can provide direct patient care in inpatient and outpatient settings and are often in charge of monitoring patients, taking vital signs, administering medications and documenting patient history. They may also specialize in areas such as anesthesia and become a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
LPN（许可实用护士）和LVN（许可职业护士）：An LPN and LVN will have about a year of nursing education and will perform less technical skills, like taking vitals and observing patients. You’ll typically find them innursing homes and extended care facilities，医院和医师办公室。他们在RN或医师的指导下工作。
CNA (certified nursing assistant):CNA，也称为护士的助手或患者护理助理，直接与患者和医务人员合作，为许多身体和复杂的任务提供帮助，以确保患者良好的服务和安全。大多数CNA认证计划需要在四到16周之间完成。您通常会在疗养院和长期护理设施中找到它们，复原centers, adult day care centers and hospitals.
CMA (certified medical assistant):CMAs work under a supervising health care provider and are cross trained to perform both clinical duties as well as administrative ones, such as arranging hospital admissions or lab work and handling bookkeeping and billing. Most CMAs work in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics and other health care facilities.

带走

The initials floating behind your health care provider’s name can be confusing, but hopefully now you have a better understanding of who they are and what they do.

There are many other roles within the health care environment (i.e.,PharmD在这里没有提到的）在您的整体护理中也起着重要作用。重要的是要对您的护理充满信心，因此，如果您对提供商的资格或背景有疑问，请不要害怕寻求理解。

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MD，DO，PA，NP，MA等：这些字母意味着什么？