Healthcare is now the largest industry in our economy, with more than 14 million medical professionals. From surgeons, dentists, and physicians to certified nurse practitioners and psychopharmacologists, healthcare comprises myriad professions—each with its own sea of confusing abbreviations and subtle, but important, distinctions in levels of training and capabilities. And who has the time or energy to ask what those letters following the name of the person treating you actually mean? Here, we break them down for you, one string of letters at a time.
Nursing
| Title | Education | What do they do? | What don’t they do? |
| RN Registered Nurse |
2-year registered nursing program or 4-year bachelor’s degree nursing program |
Usually serve in a supervisory position, overseeing LPNs and CNAs - Advertisement -
Implement and execute physician’s care and treatment orders Diagnose and treat basic health problems Start IVs or administer blood transfusions Make initial clinical assessments, including physical examination and medical history |
Prescribe medication - Partner Content -
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| NP Nurse Practitioner |
An RN who has additionally completed either a master’s program in nursing or other postgraduate work in a specialty area Advanced education in assessment and care-planning |
Perform physical exams, order lab tests Diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications within specialty area of practice Patient assessment to determine a plan of care - Advertisement -
Administer vaccinations Order and interpret lab tests and X-rays Manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure |
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| LPN Licensed Practical Nurse |
High school diploma At least a 9-month practical nursing study |
Provide primary bedside care |
Prescribe medication Start IVs and administer blood transfusions Make clinical assessments |
| CNA Certified Nursing Assistant |
High school diploma Completion of a minimum 75-hour nursing-assistant training program |
Provide basic, daily care of patients such as assistance with grooming, bathing, and eating Measure vital signs |
Prescribe medicine Diagnose or treat an illness or injury Perform health care assessments |
Continue reading for medical abbreviations for Physicians & Assistants, Eye Care, and Mental Health
Physicians & Assistants
| Title | Education | What do they do? | What don’t they do? |
| MD Doctor of Medicine |
4-year allopathic (traditional) medical school Minimum 2-year residency in chosen specialty |
Diagnose, treat, operate (if trained in a surgical residency), and prescribe drugs for illness and injury |
|
| DO Doctor of Osteopathy |
A 4-year program similar to that of MDs, with additional training in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems Residency in chosen specialty |
Same as MDs, except DOs also practice osteopathic manipulative treatment (hands-on manual therapy of joints and muscles), and tend to employ a more holistic approach in treatment |
|
| DPM Doctor of Podiatric Medicine |
4-year podiatric medical program after college A 2- or 3-year residency |
Diagnose, treat, and prevent foot, ankle, and leg (below the knee) disorders Prescribe drugs and physical therapy Perform surgery and set fractures |
Podiatrists may prescribe medicine but are restricted to prescribing for conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and leg (below the knee) |
| PA Physician’s Assistant |
2- or 3-year graduate program, leading to a master’s degree in physician assistant studies, health science, or medical science |
Practice medicine under the supervision of a physician (though the supervision need not be on-site) Similar to nurse practitioners; however they differ in training. NPs often are educated in a specialty area, while PAs study the wider spectrum of medical care |
Practice medicine independently |
Eye Care
| MD or DO Ophthalmologist |
Surgeon with completed residency in ophthalmology |
Diagnose and treat disorders of the eye; perform surgical procedures on the eye, including laser Prescribe medication, glasses, contact lenses |
|
| OD Optometrist (Doctor of Optometry) |
4-year graduate program of clinical and classroom training |
Same as ophthalmologists in the diagnosing and treating (non-surgically) of eye disorders |
Admit patients or handle inpatient cases Surgical intervention Prescription privileges are restricted to conditions of the eye |
| Optician |
2-year associate’s degree |
Fill prescriptions for contact lenses and glasses ordered by an ophthalmologist or optometrist Help choose and adjust glasses |
Perform eye exams Prescribe medication Diagnose eye and vision problems |
Mental Health
| MD or DO Psychiatrist |
A medical doctor (MD or DO) who has completed a 4-year residency in psychiatry |
Prescribe drugs Talk therapy Conduct physical examinations |
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| PhD or PsyD Clinical Psychologist |
5-7 years of graduate study in psychology only (not medicine) 1-2 years of supervised clinical experience |
Talk therapy to diagnose, treat, and prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders Research and teaching (PhD is more research and academically oriented than PsyD, which places greater emphasis on being a practitioner) |
Prescribe medication |
| Psychopharmacologist |
Licensed psychiatrist (MD or DO) with advanced training and expertise in pharmacology |
Concentrate on the pharmaceutical treatment of mental illness |
Talk therapy |
| LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
Master of Social Work degree 3-years post-degree supervised experience in diagnosis, psychotherapy, and treatment |
Diagnose and treat mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental, and addictive disorders |
Prescribe medication |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner |
Nurse practitioner with a master’s degree or higher in nursing and advanced training and practice hours in psychiatry |
Conduct emergency psychiatric evaluations and non-emergency psychological, psychosocial, and physical assessments Develop treatment plans to manage patients’ mental health |
Continue reading for medical abbreviations for Anesthesia, Physical Therapy, Dentistry, and Emergency Medicine
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Anesthesia
| Title | Education | What do they do? | What don’t they do? |
| Anesthesiologist |
– M.D. or D.O. who has completed a 4-year residency |
– Administer anesthesia and manage patient’s clinical care before, during, and after surgery – Administer pain medication – Some sub-specialize in pain management |
|
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | – Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Licensed as a RN – Advanced training in a nurse anesthetist program |
– Administer anesthesia – Help manage patient’s clinical care before, during, and after surgery |
– There are no specific restrictions on CRNA’s in New York. Any restrictions are determined by the hospital or medical office in which the CRNA practices |
Physical Therapy
| Orthopedic Surgeon | – MD or DO, plus a five-year residency (one in general surgery, four in orthopedic surgery) | – Treat and operate on musculoskeletal injuries and conditions – Prescribe medicine |
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| Physiatrist | – MD or DO, plus a three-year residency and one-year studying clinical | – Diagnose and treat disorders in muscles, bones, connective tissues, and nerves without surgery – Prescribe medication |
Perform surgery |
| Registered Physical Therapist (RPT) |
– Master’s program in physical therapy | – Assesses and treats musculoskeletal disorders to improve movement and function (gross motor skills involving mobility and posture) | – Prescribe medication – Perform surgery |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) |
– 2-year PTA program | – Carry out treatment according to plan developed by a RPT | – Diagnose and prescribe treatment |
| DC Chiropractor (Doctor of Chiropractic) | – 2- to 4- year undergraduate – 4-year graduate chiropractic training, plus minimum 1-year internship |
– Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems – Treatment of health problems via manual therapy including spinal manipulation and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation |
– Prescribe medication – Perform surgery |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | – Master’s degree in occupational therapy – At least 6 months of supervised clinical experience |
– Restore or improve physical abilities (including fine motor skills involving hand-eye coordination and self-care skills such as feeding, dressing, hygiene) after impairment from illness (e.g., stroke) or injury | |
| Audiologist (AUD) | – Master’s degree in audiology (the study of hearing and hearing related disorders) – 9 months supervised clinical experience |
– Diagnose and treat hearing and communication problems – Dispense hearing aids |
Dentistry
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Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) |
– Bachelors degree – 4-year dentistry program, followed by dental residency – There is no difference between DDS and DMD education programs |
– Diagnose, treat, operate, and prescribe for any condition of the mouth – Must be specially certified to administer anesthesia and other sedation |
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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon |
– M.D. or D.D.S. – 4-6-year graduate degree in dentistry – At least 4 years in a hospital surgical residency program – Advanced training in anesthesia |
– Diagnose and treat injuries and defects of head, neck, face and jaws, as long as mouth is involved – Perform reconstructive and dental surgery |
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Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) |
– Certificate, associate’s or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene (minimum two years classroom training) – High school diploma |
– Provide basic dental hygienic care and treatment of cavities and gum disease under supervision of a dentist – With additional certification, can administer and monitor local anesthesia and nitrous oxide under supervision of a dentist |
– Diagnose and prescribe for conditions of the mouth |
|
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) |
– 1-year course of college study – High school diploma |
– Take preliminary medical history, prepare dental and surgical tools and equipment for hygienist and dentist – Under supervision of a dentist: remove stitches, provide topical desensitizing and cavity-preventing agents and take teeth impressions |
– Administer anesthesia – Diagnose, treat and prescribe for conditions of the mouth |
Emergency Medicine
| E.M.T. (Basic) | – 120-150 hours of training in emergency medical care program | – Perform non-invasive, pre-hospital emergency and life-saving medical care for sudden illness and injuries – Administer oxygen, asthma inhalers, epinephrine, and glucose – Perform defibrillation |
– Give injections or start intravenous drugs and fluids – Advanced airway management |
| E.M.T.-P (Paramedic) | – 1,200-1,800 hours of training – Highest level of pre-hospital certification |
– Can administer 30-40 medications including dopamine, lidocane and morphine – Administer IV drugs and fluids – Conduct advanced cardiac monitoring – Provide breathing support through advanced airway management (oxygen administration, bag valve ventilation and other devices to maintain an open airway) |
Rx 101
In today’s expansive, complex health-care system, it’s not just your family doctor who can write a prescription. While MDs and DOs are able to prescribe any kind of medication, certain other medical professionals are also authorized to prescribe in New York State, though in some cases with restrictions.
| Title | Prescribe Medicine | Restrictions |
| MD | Yes | |
| DO | Yes | Prescribe for any condition of the foot, ankle, leg (below-the-knee) |
| DDS/DMD | Yes | Prescribe for any condition of the mouth |
| Nurse Practitioner | Yes | |
| Registered Nurse | No | |
| Psychiatrist * | Yes | |
| Clinical Psychologist | No | There is a movement to give psychologists prescription privileges |
| Oral Surgeon * | Yes | |
| Physiatrist * | Yes | |
| Physician’s Assistant | Yes | Can prescribe only under the supervision of a physician (M.D. or D.O.) |
| Psychopharmacologist * | Yes | |
| Chiropractor | No | |
| Anesthesiologist * | Yes | |
| Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner | Yes | |
| Orthopedic Surgeon * | Yes | |
| Podiatrists | Yes |
* By definition, these medical professionals are either an MD or DO
