Attendings: how many credentials do you list?

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JamesPhilly

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Small preamble: I was a paramedic and LPN back on the day, which made me suspicious of titles. Everyone I worked with had large alphabet soups after their name, and while they all thought it was was wonderful, I came to realize it showed just how insufficient their initial degree was. For example, I think my title was something like Emt-p, bs, pals, ACLS, AAS, etc. The MD/DO degree is powerful in part because it encapsulates a high level of training without all the prefixes.

Now, it's been several years since residency, I earned an MPH, became a fellow of the APA, got triple board certified. I'm just curious where people draw the line for business cards when it come to listing one's credentials.

Thanks your feedback and time
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JamesPhilly said:
Small preamble: I was a paramedic and LPN back on the day, which made me suspicious of titles. Everyone I worked with had large alphabet soups after their name, and while they all thought it was was wonderful, I came to realize it showed just how insufficient their initial degree was. For example, I think my title was something like Emt-p, bs, pals, ACLS, AAS, etc. The MD/DO degree is powerful in part because it encapsulates a high level of training without all the prefixes.

Now, it's been several years since residency, I earned an MPH, became a fellow of the APA, got triple board certified. I'm just curious where people draw the line for business cards when it come to listing one's credentials.

Thanks your feedback and time
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In your case, I would put MD (or DO) and MPH. Leave everything else off.
 
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An MPH is a reasonable credential to include for academic settings or in professional communications/bios.

I might suggest a friendly reminder of the traditional order of degrees for post-name credentials: associates (usually omitted), bachelors (usually omitted), masters, professional doctorate (ex MD, jd), research doctorate (ex PhD), honorary doctorate (omitted unless formal academic setting), professional credentials (ex fapa)... James Philly, MPH, MD/DO
 
I put other honors or degrees I have earned when I fancy, and other times just MD when I want and don't worry much about what others think. I spend enough time dealing with the neuroses of others.
 
downwithDTB said:
An MPH is a reasonable credential to include for academic settings or in professional communications/bios.

I might suggest a friendly reminder of the traditional order of degrees for post-name credentials: associates (usually omitted), bachelors (usually omitted), masters, professional doctorate (ex MD, jd), research doctorate (ex PhD), honorary doctorate (omitted unless formal academic setting), professional credentials (ex fapa)... James Philly, MPH, MD/DO
Click to expand...

I have always seen MD first followed by other degree like PhD, MS, MPH etc ?
 
JamesPhilly said:
Small preamble: I was a paramedic and LPN back on the day, which made me suspicious of titles. Everyone I worked with had large alphabet soups after their name, and while they all thought it was was wonderful, I came to realize it showed just how insufficient their initial degree was. For example, I think my title was something like Emt-p, bs, pals, ACLS, AAS, etc. The MD/DO degree is powerful in part because it encapsulates a high level of training without all the prefixes.

Now, it's been several years since residency, I earned an MPH, became a fellow of the APA, got triple board certified. I'm just curious where people draw the line for business cards when it come to listing one's credentials.

Thanks your feedback and time
Click to expand...
JamesPhilly, MD, MPH, FAPA
Board Certified in Yep, Yah, and Oh My
 
Sushirolls said:
JamesPhilly, MD, MPH, FAPA
Board Certified in Yep, Yah, and Oh My
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hqdefault.jpg
 
Not sure how this error has perpetuated among parts of the medical crowd; perhaps people with masters mimicking the md, PhD without thinking about why the PhD goes second? Have you ever seen someone with a master's after a PhD? Of course not. And 99% of people with a PhD put it after the MD. For confirmation, look up formal style rules.
 
Thank you to everyone for the replies, this was very helpful

I just want to make it clear that in everyday use (ie signing my name, name on my office door, etc) I don't list anything except my medical degree. A business card however seems an opportunity to put ones full credentials though

I might suggest a friendly reminder of the traditional order of degrees ....James Philly, MPH, MD/DO
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DownwithDTB, I have not seen that. I looked up the rules and you *may* be technically right, but that's not how it's done in practice. Look at Yale's faculty, they all use the formal Sushiroll suggested.

I think with everyone's input, I will add the MPH and FAPA only after my DO. Thanks again!
 
For letterheads and business cards I tend to list my full qualifications which by Australian standards are fairly short - MBBS MPM FRANZCP - representing the undergrad medical degree, Masters in Psychiatry, Fellowship of College of Psychiatrists respectively. Those who have subspecialised in say Child or Psycho-geriatrics have obtained additional Certifications that they might add.

The order used is simply the chronological order they were obtained which is the norm here. Have seen some people also put the university they qualified at - eg. MBBS (Adel) or MBBS (Monash). In some circles this might be seen as important, but I take the view that it's probably more about university snob factor and don't think it's necessary. As there's been a trend towards postgraduate medicine, there are more people who are listing their undergrad degrees too although this tends to only stay if it is health related (eg B.MedSci/B.Pharm) or they have Honours. I know a few others with Commerce or Finance degrees as their base who don't use it - one felt that having it might make him be perceived as less trustworthy.

Here having the fellowship signifies that one is a qualified specialist, and just having base medical degree on its own doesn't really say too much aside from that one has finished medical school. One could be just starting out or towards the end of their post graduate training. Those with PhD/MPhils or research MD usually list them prior to the fellowship qualification. Occasionally I get copies of letters by American Psychiatrists, which usually just have MD. However, there was usually something else to denote that the writer is a Psychiatrist too.

I think as long as the qualifications is relevant to the actual work being done, I think it's ok to include them. Locally there was one well known psychiatrist who had dozens of post-nominals from around the world and was quite notorious for giving an introductory lecture for first year psychiatry trainees where the power point had half the slides explaining what each one was. From time to time we do see doctors who include other qualifications that have questionable relevance. The Associate in Music (AMusA) is a music diploma that pops up from time to time. Also remember getting a letter from one psychiatrist which also had his Level 1 Tennis Coaching credentials - that was pretty odd.
 
I’m of the opinion that we should only list relevant information on business cards to assist in referrals. What else do you utilize your business card for?

Relevant information is usually doctorates only (exception for foreign medical masters degrees). If you are an administrator recruiting doctors, list your MBA. If doing certain research with your MPH and want relevant cases, list your MPH. I’ll ask you about it to assist in directing appropriate cases. If you do pilot certification, list that credential. I’ll send you my pilots (example).

If I’m handing a patient a business card for a referral which is daily, I don’t want to waste time explaining what DABPN means or why you find it is relevant to your patients. They will ask and waste valuable appointment time. Instead, I’ll just throw the cards in the trash and find another referral option.

If you want to list excessive letters, your 5 board certifications, and your 6 organizations you belong to, make a pamphlet that explains what everything is and why it is valuable. If that is your marketing ploy, great. I’ll hand out the pamphlets and direct patients to read all about you.

Help me, help you.
 
Generally the more acronyms I see after a person's name, the less likely I am to use them as a referral source, Don't be like social workers, keep it simple. Heck, I wouldn't even put LP (licensed psychologist) in my signature line if the state didn't require it.
 
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If you get something like knighthood I would definitely put it 😛

Monocles MD KBE
 
Can I ask a peripherally related question? Is it customary to display one's undergraduate diploma on the wall? Or just medical school, residency, board certification? Asking for a friend who's too cheap to buy artwork to decorate her office and doesn't have the board certification quite yet.
 
bashir said:
Can I ask a peripherally related question? Is it customary to display one's undergraduate diploma on the wall? Or just medical school, residency, board certification? Asking for a friend who's too cheap to buy artwork to decorate her office and doesn't have the board certification quite yet.
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I've never seen a physician (or psychologist) hang their bachelor's, but I'm an N of 1.

Although maybe if you're in a college football mecca, went to a popular state university, and want to instantly build street cred with your patients...

Also, as for the original question, RE: my own psychiatrist colleagues, I've never seen more than MD/DO, occasionally MPH, and very occasionally FAPA.
 
bashir said:
Can I ask a peripherally related question? Is it customary to display one's undergraduate diploma on the wall? Or just medical school, residency, board certification? Asking for a friend who's too cheap to buy artwork to decorate her office and doesn't have the board certification quite yet.
Click to expand...
Can be. I do and know plenty of others who do as well. But I also know some who don't.
 
bashir said:
Can I ask a peripherally related question? Is it customary to display one's undergraduate diploma on the wall? Or just medical school, residency, board certification? Asking for a friend who's too cheap to buy artwork to decorate her office and doesn't have the board certification quite yet.
Click to expand...

My recommendation would be state/school specific.

If you have a U of Alabama diploma and you practice in Alabama, I’d display it. It would show that you are “one of them” to build rapport. Even those that attended school elsewhere have a healthy understanding that they are in Bama country. They rule the state.

In Texas, I wouldn’t recommend it. Regardless of where you attend, some patients will judge. A UT diploma and A&M folk feel a rivalry. Baylor grads may feel that you are another lemming. Rice grads may think they are smarter than you. Obviously I’m generalizing, but it’s true for some. Why risk it?

Regardless of school, patients feel reassured by seeing board certifications on the wall.
 
All of my U diplomas are up on the wall. Diplomas belong in the office. They were achievements and part of the requirement to do this job, up they go. Some of my credentials are 'meh' in the fluid match of rankings. Still up they go, its part of my story of who I am. They can be a brief discussion piece for some patients about shared experience, or why there, etc.
 
No one here has diplomas up on the wall. But, we also generally have floating clinic rooms. Mine is essentially the only room specifically set aside because I need my testing materials in there. All of our main offices are in another area that is not for patient care, so they'd never see them anyway.
 
For clinical work: degree.

For signing forensic work: degree, with everything else after doctorate listed (e.g., board certs).
 
bashir said:
Can I ask a peripherally related question? Is it customary to display one's undergraduate diploma on the wall? Or just medical school, residency, board certification? Asking for a friend who's too cheap to buy artwork to decorate her office and doesn't have the board certification quite yet.
Click to expand...
I never even got a frame for mine...
 
I got kicked out of a press conference photo op once because I don't own a white coat. The only person in our department I see wearing a white coat is a psychologist who works in behavioral medicine ironically.
I strongly suggest that everyone scan and keep e-copies of all diplomas to send when asked for. Otherwise, they can sit in a drawer somewhere.
 
MacDonaldTriad said:
I got kicked out of a press conference photo op once because I don't own a white coat. The only person in our department I see wearing a white coat is a psychologist who works in behavioral medicine ironically.
I strongly suggest that everyone scan and keep e-copies of all diplomas to send when asked for. Otherwise, they can sit in a drawer somewhere.
Click to expand...
Are your diplomas chiseled in stone or carved in wood?
;-)
 
downwithDTB said:
Not sure how this error has perpetuated among parts of the medical crowd; perhaps people with masters mimicking the md, PhD without thinking about why the PhD goes second? Have you ever seen someone with a master's after a PhD? Of course not. And 99% of people with a PhD put it after the MD. For confirmation, look up formal style rules.
Click to expand...
I googled it like you said. You're referring to UK formal style. US formal style is to 1. only list what's relevant and 2. list most relevant/highest FIRST.

The website is ugly but pretty sure the content is legit.
 
FlowRate, I guess that explains some of it; however, I haven't had any luck finding a more legitimate style source (i.e. APA, MLA) that is widely recognized as authoritative laying out the "American" rules; whereas the "UK" guidelines are clearly laid out by Oxford. The reality seems to be that Americans, particularly in medical departments, tend not to follow a style. Looking at the Yale site above, there are clearly different folks following different rules. Outside of medical departments, my experience has always been that people put their masters before their doctorate... and my experience has been that those with both a research doctorate and a professional doctorate were putting the research doctorate last given that it's a "higher" degree (and this has born out in most interpersonal interactions). Thus, what we are getting is really a hodge-podge under this so called "American" system and clear rules under the "UK" system that I will continue to follow and encourage others to do as well... but perhaps since someone has identified an alternative system I'll give up the fight a little.
 
bashir said:
Can I ask a peripherally related question? Is it customary to display one's undergraduate diploma on the wall? Or just medical school, residency, board certification? Asking for a friend who's too cheap to buy artwork to decorate her office and doesn't have the board certification quite yet.
Click to expand...

I never even picked up my undergraduate diploma when I graduated college. If it wasn't for my wife, wouldn't even know where my medical school diploma is.
 
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