About Degrees, Training, and Credentials
In this day and age, the health care team may be composed of professionals with different degrees. In addition, there are many letters that may appear after names, designating distinguishing characteristics, such as multiple degrees, and fellowship in various honor societies and organizations.
For most substantial organizations, there is a nonprofit corporate structure, elected officials, and knowledgeable members in committees that review and cast votes for or against membership of applicants. Sometimes there is some overlap in what persons with specific degrees may do. For instance, many with a PhD or DSc degrees (see below) are on the faculties of medical schools, and are involved in clinical programs, even though they are not MDs. To be sure, qualifications of such individuals are sufficiently screened before their appointments. Holders of each degree are called Doctors.
A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is a doctorate earned after 4 years of college, and may take typically 4 years of additional learning. A PhD is usually associated with significant meritorious research and publications in the field-a final thesis is mandatory. A PhD may be earned in most biomedical specialties. Many prominent faculty in medical schools hold PhD degrees.
Lucy Greene, PhD, is Associate Director for management at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and Jeffrey Pessin, PhD, is Director of the Diabetes Research Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and a Professor of Medicine and Rosenberg Chair in Diabetes Research. It is apparent that PhDs and DScs are holding appointments in medical schools, prestigious societies, and health agencies, in positions that control patient interactions and treatment by MDs in clinics, even though PhDs do not prescribe. The overwhelming majority of PhDs are allopathic researchers, experts in the basic sciences (chemistry, physiology, and pharmacology), and, increasingly, students of health delivery and its effectiveness (outcomes).
A DSc, or Doctor of Science, is an additional doctorate earned, usually after 4 years of post-college work. A DSc requires several more years of study, post-graduate learning, contributions, research, and publications in a chosen field. One well-known academic national figure and nutrition expert who holds a DSc is a Fellow of the American Heart Association, has authored a plethora of papers about the effect of nutrition and lifestyle upon lipids and clinical outcomes, and is the lead author of the American Heart Association Dietary Guidelines. Holders of DSc degrees are generally learned authorities and researchers.
An RD is a Registered Dietician, who has earned a bachelor’s degree and attended an accredited pre-professional experience program. They may also have a Masters (MS) or PhD. Usually a valuable member of the health team, they may also hold an appointment in medicine, and care for patients.
An ND, or NMD, Naturopathic Doctor or Naturopathic Medical Doctor, is yet another post-graduate degree earned after college. The degree may be earned at an institution chartered by a state, one recognized by a federal educational agency-usually a 4-year resident program-or other authorizing body. There are 16 states which license NDs who attend 4 years of an accredited school, and in those states insurance coverage is mandated for particular services. Texas is not one of them.
There are also “traditional naturopaths”, who practice under authorities of public law, legal precedent, etc, and lately, have options for certification with private organizations.
Generally, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and chiropractors do not publish in conventional basic science journals, but in their own. A new Journal of Natural Medicine sponsored by the American Association of Naturopathic Practitioners, has just been launched.
What is clear is that the body behaves in only one way, and it is up to the viewer to understand it. Dividing the views is a human quality, resulting from what has been termed “tubular vision”.
“There is no alternative medicine. There is only scientifically proven, evidence-based medicine supported by solid data, or unproven medicine, for which scientific evidence is lacking. Whether a therapeutic practice is ‘Eastern’ or ‘Western’, is unconventional or mainstream, or involves mind-body techniques or molecular genetics is largely irrelevant except for historical purposes and cultural interest.”
Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2002 Sep;29(3):555-73
