Doctor
A doctor is a medical professional with an MD, a PhD, or any other doctoral degree that treats patients with medical conditions. A doctor may, for example, be a physician, psychologist, neurologist, surgeon, dentist, or dermatologist.
Advanced Practice Provider (APP)
A clinical provider who is not a doctor. An APP has completed training, certification, and licensure that allows them to care for patients. APPs work as part of the team to provide patient-centered, quality care.
Types of APPs:
- Physician Assistants
- Nurse Practitioners
- Midwives
APPs can:
- Perform physical examinations and assessments
- Order and interpret tests
- Diagnose health problems
- Develop treatment plans
- Provide education and counseling
- Prescribe medicines
- Perform procedures
- APPs play an important role as part of the healthcare team. They work closely with all members to ensure patients are the focus of their care.
Patients have the right to be seen by a physician instead of an Advanced PracticeProvider. If this is your wish, please inform the hospital, office, or clinic staff.
Physician Assistant (PA-C)
A physician assistant is an Advanced Practice Professional licensed to provide medical care under the supervision of a physician. Physician Assistants obtain a masters degree at the completion of their program.
- Training includes extensive clinical rotations, focusing on medical models of care (including surgical training) and overall health and wellness, which prepare them to practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Physician Assistants are nationally board certified and maintain continuing education throughout their careers.
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)
A Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) is a registered nurse with a master’s or doctorate degree and specific advanced nursing education and training. CRNPs work in collaboration with a physician to provide medical care.
- Nurse practitioners are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)
- Training involves extensive clinical rotations, focused on nursing and medical models of care and overall health and wellness to prepare them to practice in a variety of settings.
- Nurse practitioners are nationally board certified and maintain continuing education throughout their careers.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM)
A certified nurse midwife is a registered nurse with a master’s or doctorate degree with advanced nursing education, training and certification in the diagnosis, management, prevention of common and complex medical conditions in women and infants, as well as reproductive health.
- Certified nurse midwives are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
- Training includes extensive clinical rotations, focusing on health and wellness throughout a woman’s reproductive life, including preconception, pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
- Certified nurse midwives are nationally board certified and maintain continuing education throughout their careers.