M.D. vs Dr. Nurse
2008 October 29
AAFP
I have never heard about the medical position/profession Dr. Nurse. Obviously there is such a beast, and AAFP tries to explain and clarify the differences between M.D. and Dr. Nurse. Not that there is something wrong, it just sounds very funny…something like Queen President or Engineer Construction worker. How about the proffesion Nurse PSW (personal support worker). Anyways, good luck to all new candidates for the title Dr. Nurse.
What is the thin line that sets: physician, Dr. nurse, Dr. pharmacist, and physician assistant apart?
Honestly, I don’t know. For me there is only one title for Doctor and the title is Doctor/Physician.
lol
Sure, nothing can substitute 6 years of medical school, one year of internship, then 3 more years of residency!
Don’t forget that some of the residencies are 5 years+few years of fellowships after. All together around 15 years of hard work.
Our Alumni Association are made up of graduate physicians from the Philippines. Our alumni association is a duly registered IRS 501 (c)(3)organization in the USA. All our alumni have been conferred with an M.D. degree after 4-5 years of undergrad BA or BS degree, 4 years in Med school and 1 year of internship. Our school is an accredited institution recognized by ECFMG/USMLE.
As an alumni association, we are trying to check into the United States legal use of “M.D.” after our names or “Dr.” before our names in our letterheads, letters or publications. Or,when at our convention or reunion being addressed as “Doctors” by each other.
We are aware of the prohibitions of some states for the use of the title “MD” or “Dr.” which are mostly related to the “fraudulent” use or misrepresentation of individuals in regards to the practice of medicine. Lawyers we consulted agree with this and stated that there is always room for the interpretation of the law in case of legal challenge or questions.They further stated that for the purpose of our convention, alumni reunions and communications, there should not be any problem with that.The laws are designed to protect the patients,
as long as it is not related to patient care then it is okay. Hence,the law does not pertain to your alumni reunion’s visiting physicians, retired physicians, and non-practicing physicians.
In Boston,MA their law states that the “M.D.” becomes part of their names.
Our Dean of the College of Medicine stated that “our graduates have all been officially conferred a “Doctor of Medicine” or “M.D.” degree
and it is for life, no one or nothing can take that away from them”.
Your legal and/or medical opinion as medical alumni association members
will be greatly appreciated. Thanks – AlumniDocs
Do you have a license to practice medicine in America, Dr. Suntay?
If no, did you go through the process of trying to apply for one?
Or do we have to take your post as biased, and with a grain of salt?