Is your doctor really a doctor?
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are increasing their roles as care providers, particularly in the primary care setting. These advanced practice providers (APPs) sometimes earn doctorates and the right to call themselves “doctor.” The American Medical Association (AMA) believes that only physicians should be allowed to call themselves “doctor” in a healthcare setting. Do your patients understand the roles and composition of their healthcare team?
As this Medscape article explains, when patients seek primary care, it's becoming more likely that they'll see a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. When an APP who has earned a Doctorate degree uses the title of “Doctor”, the AMA asserts that this creates confusion for patients, and they deserve greater clarity about who is a physician and who isn’t.
Three nurse practitioners who earned doctorates of nursing practice are suing the state of California, saying that they have earned the right to tout themselves using the term “doctor.”
Physicians disagree, telling the court that the breadth of physician education and practical training eclipses that of nurses’ training and that the law avoids patient confusion over who is treating them. In addition, physicians tell the court that surveys support patients’ need and desire to only allow MDs and DOs to call themselves “doctor” or “Dr.”
The nurse practitioners claim a California statute that only allows California-licensed allopathic and osteopathic physicians to use the terms “doctor” and “Dr.” is unconstitutional. The restriction has been on the books since at least 1937 to avoid patient confusion over the level of education their health professionals have achieved.
Much has changed since 1937, and APPs have become an integral and essential component of healthcare delivery. It is important that roles and scope of practice are clearly defined and that patients are educated about their healthcare team.
See our related practice tip, Advanced Practice Providers