Many patients are choosing providers outside of the traditional medical system because of negative experiences with MDs.
In a time where there are so many doctors, experts, and gurus to choose from, there’s no need to stay with a provider that is failing you. At the same time, figuring out who is well-positioned to help you has become quite confusing.
From doctors who aren’t medical doctors to specialists advising outside of their specialty, how are you supposed to know what to look for?
With this episode, I want to get you thinking about your providers and to be empowered in choosing whose advice you follow. I’m sharing what the letters behind providers’ names mean, the differences between similar-sounding specialties, and the red flags that you should be aware of when selecting a provider. Enjoy the episode!
Episode Highlights
-The confusion caused by non-medical practitioners with the title “Dr.”
-We owe it to our patients and clients to be clear about our area of expertise
-Dr. Tassone’s tenets for credential clarity: Always clarify what type of Dr. you are
-How to find out about a provider’s background and red flags to be aware of
-The training and experience behind:
MD: Medical Doctor; 4 years of undergrad and 4 years of medical school, followed by residency and possibly fellowship
DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; very similar training path to MDs but with an additional study on manipulative therapy
Naturopath/Naturopathic Doctor: Concentrate on whole-patient wellness and operate on the six principles of naturopathic medicine; usually a 4-year program
Chiropractor/Chiropractic Physician/Doctor of Chiropractic: Focus on the musculoskeletal anatomy and often also talk about diet and nutrition
DPT: Doctor of Physical Therapy; Graduate-level degree; required to indicate that they are physical therapists when using the title of Doctor or Dr.
Clinical Nutritionist: analyzes a person’s diet along with their medical history to kind of determine how their nutritional intake can impact their health, prevent disease, or mitigate the symptoms of chronic illness; often are licensed and can usually order labs
Registered Dietitian (RDN): food and nutrition experts who dedicate their careers to keeping clients healthy; have to go through an internship after completing their degree; can sometimes order labs
Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC): educates clients on their lifestyle and dietary habits; can sit for a certified board exam after completing education and experience requirements
Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN)/Integrative Functional Nutritionist: receive nutrition training but don’t necessarily have a medical background
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners: lengthy degree requirement; aim to find the energetic body aspect of your illness and correct it from that angle
Acupuncturist: degree program differentiated them from someone who does needling
Key differences between:
-Psychologists and psychiatrists
-Plastic surgeon and cosmetic surgeon
-Nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA)
Resources
Dr. Shawn Tassone’s Practice
Dr. Shawn Tassone’s Book | The Hormone Balance Bible
Dr. Shawn Tassone’s Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormone Archetype Quiz
Medical Disclaimer
This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.
