DPH VS PHARMD VS RPH

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dimeadozenn

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Before pharmacist had just a bachelors so RPH satisfied, Now a Doctorate degree is required so since our names change to Dr. name..... and we have a doctors degree why isn't it made clear, such as DPH instead of RPH or pharmD..? Anyway thats my plan and tip for you future pharmacists !
 
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One-it shows you got a doctorates degree(big difference from a bachelors).... and DPH is presented in a more professional way in my opinion instead of PharmD.
 
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dimeadozenn said:
One-it shows you got a doctorates degree(big difference from a bachelors).... and DPh is presented in a more professional way in my opinion instead of PharmD.
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We have RPh because we are registered with the state board. It has nothing to do with doctorate degree or BS. I think we should just drop RPh and leave PharmD, since all graduates now have a PharmD. Seeing PharmD, RPh is a little redundant to me as physicians don't have something similar-they just MD, and the assumption is that if they are working then they must have a state license.
 
Actually RPh does have something to do with the bachelors because as I said, earlier times, pharmacist only need a bachelors hence the pharmD now. And nowadays its required in all 50 states to be licensed and registered to practice. So the question now is do you pick DPH or PharmD, I prefer DPH. Knowing that we are registered and licensed the R can go away.
 
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DPh may be confusing to some as it appears anagrammatically similar to PhD.

I agree that PharmD is a silly name, but it eliminates confusion and correlation to other similar doctorates (PhD, DPT, DPM, etc) and offers its own distinction
 
As far as DPH I have not seen any other profession in healthcare to confuse it with, If other professions stick with such small 2 to 3 letter abbrievations why should pharmacists differ. I would argue that since pharm techs now do RPhT that would cause confusion with RPh...Hence DPH is a more clear presentation. And I disagree with your last statement because that can easily be said for any other profession.
 
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And as for PhD vs DPH the average joe would be able to tell there's a clear difference there and as for be laughed at any professional would not do so because, one you did get your doctorates degree and therefore have a right to present it.
 
You presume too much from the average joe. And boy, you sure are adamant about making sure people know you have a doctorate. And you'll only come off as pretentious and a little egocentric if you go around asking people to call you Dr. even at the risk of confusion with medical doctors.

Lastly, DPH is already taken. Doctor of Public Health. Or Doctor of Plant Health. Or DPh: Doctor of Philosophy.
 
You realize that RPh has nothing to do with your degree, right? It is simply a designation saying you're registered with a state board of pharmacy. It's a statement that you're fit to practice as a pharmacist in your state. You do not need to be a PharmD for this designation. Also, simply having a PharmD does not give you this designation.

A PharmD is an academic degree granted by your university. It's a statement that you went through a Doctor of Pharmacy program, but it says nothing about your ability to practice as a pharmacist. You can have a PharmD without being a registered pharmacist.

You may tack on PharmD after your name to indicate that you have earned the academic degree. You may tack on RPh to indicate that you are a practicing pharmacist who has met licensing requirements in a particular state. DPH doesn't exist.

(Edited to add: DPH doesn't exist for pharmacists. As a poster mentioned above, DPH exists in the public health realm.)
 
Before there was a doctorates degree there was a bachelors degree requirement only. After graduation pharmacists became licensed thus giving them RPh. Now the next point NOWADAYS every institution is required to show proof of the pharmacists licenses if they are hired to appointed agencies, so that's a given no need for RPh. Now to restate my earlier points a doctorates degree is quite a big difference from a bachelors. And in these days it should be presented if earned. So while PharmD is in place of that now, why is it that DPH cannot be instead and since hospital settings allow you to "tack" pharmD you have the option of tacking DPH. Institutions really got this one wrong in my opinion.


Also I want to point out that the word doctor is used for multiple settings university professors are called Dr.name...etc and if people do not no the difference between a physician and pharmacist when referring to us as doctors they have got more issues to worry about.


And lastly Doctor of public health is actually abbreviated DrPH in all health settings and docotor of plant health/medicine is actually DPM. And philosophy is not in a health setting is only given Ph.D status. So DPH is not taken in a health setting.
 
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dimeadozenn said:
Before there was a doctorates degree there was a bachelors degree requirement only. After graduation pharmacists became licensed thus giving them RPh. Now the next point NOWADAYS every institution is required to show proof of the pharmacists licenses if they are hired to appointed agencies, so that's a given no need for RPh. Now to restate my earlier points a doctorates degree is quite a big difference from a bachelors. And in these days it should be presented if earned. So while PharmD is in place of that now, why is it that DPH cannot be instead and since hospital settings allow you to "tack" pharmD you have the option of tacking DPH. Institutions really got this one wrong in my opinion.


Also I want to point out that the word doctor is used for multiple settings university professors are called Dr.name...etc and if people do not no the difference between a physician and pharmacist when referring to us as doctors they have got more issues to worry about.


And lastly Doctor of public health is actually abbreviated DrPH in all health settings and docotor of plant health/medicine is actually DPM. And philosophy is not in a health setting is only given Ph.D status. So DPH is not taken in a health setting.
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Jesus.

DrPH is not the only term used for Doctor of Public Health. In fact, individuals in that field often complain about the lack of consistency in abbreviation used for the same degree. Look at Harvard's public health program -- DPH. One doesn't have to look very hard to find others. Additionally the D.Ph. mentioned by a poster above with respect to a Doctorate in Philosophy comes from some European universities, where the term used most frequently is D.Phil.

Also, the registration process is independent from a degree. Contrary to your statement, you do not need to have a PharmD to become a newly licensed pharmacist. Many international pharmacists are able to use their BSc in Pharm or BPharm to become licensed in the US.
 
dimeadozenn said:
So while PharmD is in place of that now, why is it that DPH cannot be instead and since hospital settings allow you to "tack" pharmD you have the option of tacking DPH. Institutions really got this one wrong in my opinion.
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Your employer isn't who "decides" you can use the post-nominal letters. Your use of post-nominal letters comes from having earned that degree at your university or having earned that designation through the licensing board. Your university or licensing board will usually tell you which post-nominal letters you may use.
 
Like you said one can easily search it and it is generally abbreviated DrPH. And yea I am talking in the USA, internationally one can be get any type of degree, good luck competing with others who have a doctorates degree and are taking the same pay as you though in the USA. And yes I know the registration is different from the degree. But you need to read and research about my earlier posts.........And I am not trying to take away anything from the PharmD abbreviation. But I am making a case for the DPH.
 
Your point about registration and degree are correct. But Rph like you stated does not indicate you received a doctorate degree. Hence my point of DPH instead of RPh and the PharmD abbreviation should change to DPH or DPH should be added along with the PharmD abbreviation so you can pick either if you have been given the doctorate degree.
 
dimeadozenn said:
Your point about registration and degree are correct. But Rph like you stated does not indicate you received a doctorate degree. Hence my point of DPH instead of RPh and the PharmD abbreviation should change to DPH or DPH should be added along with the PharmD abbreviation.
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There is no need to do so. The state boards of pharmacy exist to ensure that only those of appropriate competency are able to practice. It is not the state board of pharmacy's job to stratify practitioners by degree earned.
 
Did not say the state boards have to get involved since the PharmD abbreviation is given by the schools to you after you earn your degree. Therefore the schools can add or change it to DPH and the boards can leave it at RPh so now you can tack on DPH(since it is not taken) next to it.
 
dimeadozenn said:
Did not say the state boards have to get involved since the PharmD abbreviation is given by the schools you after you earn your degree. Therefore the schools can add or change it to DPH and the boards can leave it at RPh so now you can tack on DPH(since it is not taken) next to it.
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The ability to use RPh comes from being registered in the state. If the schools change the degree to DPH (which there is no compelling reason to do so), you would still need to become licensed in your state to practice. Upon getting licensed in your state, you would still be DPH, RPh.
 
I know that is what I just said in terms of registration and degree....But at the same time there is no reason not to add it on if not change it since DPH is not taken and also I see it as a more professional presentation.
 
dimeadozenn said:
Before pharmacist had just a bachelors so RPH satisfied, Now a Doctorate degree is required so since our names change to Dr. name..... and we have a doctors degree why isn't it made clear, such as DPH instead of RPH or pharmD..? Anyway thats my plan and tip for you future pharmacists !
Click to expand...

Your original statement suggested using DPH instead of PharmD and RPh. As I've stated above, the post-nominal letters are not interchangeable and have completely different meanings, and thus are not replaceable by a single DPH.
 
To clear that up, Since it is required to be licensed in the USA I stated some pharmacist have only RPh because they graduated at a time when there was no doctorate degree... now that being given I see pharmacist with only pharmD now since registration again is a given if your working in the USA. My idea at the time was to use DPH instead of PharmD since you earned the degree it should show. What should be clear is now only one or the other is tacked on Work ID's my point is DPH should be added now since it is not taken yet again there is nothing wrong with PharmD but I see DPH in a more professional presentation and thus should be an option with PharmD. And again the registration and degree are different but it was a given before the doctorate program you only had a BS so there was no need to put BsPh like you stated hence the need now. Thus my point as why we should have the option if not change it to DPH for presentation.
 
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dimeadozenn said:
Let me correct that, Since it is required to be licensed in the USA I stated some pharmacist have only RPh because they graduated at a time when there was no doctorate degree... now that being given I see pharmacist with only pharmD now since registration again is a given if your working in the USA. My idea at the time was to use DPH instead of PharmD since you earned the degree it should show. What should be clear is now only one or the other is tacked on Work ID's my point is DPH should be added now since it is not taken yet again there is nothing wrong with PharmD but I see DPH in a more professional presentation and thus should be an option with PharmD. And again the registration and degree are different but it was a given before the doctorate program you only had a BS so there was no need to put BsPh like you stated hence the need now. Thus my point as why we should have the option if not change it to DPH for presentation.
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So now you're stating two things:

1) You think DPH looks better than PharmD.

2) You don't think registration and degree should be separate, as you suggest combining the degree with the RPh designation.

For the first statement, cool story, bro.

For the second, use of post-nominal letters comes from completion of specific requirements. This serves to ensure consistency and clarity. To be able to use PharmD, you must complete the requirements set by your school. To be able to use RPh, you must complete the requirements of licensing. Your DPH is not useful, because it is a combination of separate of requirements that already have post-nominal letters. We cannot get rid of RPh, because it includes individuals who do not have PharmD's. We will not be getting rid of PharmD anytime soon either. Why add another set of post-nominal letters that don't have unique meaning? Aesthetics?
 
Your not taking the time to actually read what I wrote at all about registration and degree, I can't tell if you're incompetent or just trolling, I am talking about clear presentation and change or addition,so I will shorten it for you. I did not say to get rid of RPh.......I said you only see RPh or PharmD tacked on....and yes I am saying it is more professional looking DPH over PharmD. And adding it, yea sure because there is no reason not to have the option.
 
I was pointing out what was said earlier that was pointed out by you that people coming in the states have a BsRPh but tack RPh now and I suggested the need for DPH along pharmD not to show registration but degree since I said over and over...and over here to you if your working here in the USA you need to be licensed so since that is given then the next step is the degree should clearly be shown. So DPH should be an option along pharmD to show the degree if earned. Not anywhere in there did I say combined you just misunderstood the writing.
 
dimeadozenn said:
Also I want to point out that the word doctor is used for multiple settings university professors are called Dr.name...etc and if people do not no the difference between a physician and pharmacist when referring to us as doctors they have got more issues to worry about.

And lastly Doctor of public health is actually abbreviated DrPH in all health settings and docotor of plant health/medicine is actually DPM. And philosophy is not in a health setting is only given Ph.D status. So DPH is not taken in a health setting.
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dimeadozenn said:
Like you said one can easily search it and it is generally abbreviated DrPH. And yea I am talking in the USA, internationally one can be get any type of degree, good luck competing with others who have a doctorates degree and are taking the same pay as you though in the USA.
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All doctorates are called Dr. in an academic setting, it's not really an argument to be called Dr. in any other setting.
You think every sick patient or personnel is going to take the time to examine your badge to determine whether you're a doctor of medicine or pharmacy? So yes, they do have more issues to worry about.
No, DrPH is not used in "all health settings". DPM is used for doctor of plant medicine, not plant health.
Plenty of international students come over and obtain pharmacist jobs. Though in this market, it's harder for anyone to obtain a job period. And no, I don't think they'll be offered decrease pay just because they'r foreign.
 
Lol plant health and medicine are the same actually, so your wrong again. And it was pointed earlier that DPh is not official and DrPh is used in general. And I never said they didn't get jobs or lower pay, I said they can't compete for the same position if a person has a doctorates degree from the USA guy it's common sense...who would you hire first..

And PharmD/DPH are more than clear enough from MD...on your work ID....aside from you actually introducing yourself when you meet them.
 
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I understand that you want to be proud of your doctorate, but perhaps medicine is a better profession for you if you want people to refer to you as a doctor constantly. You will not get that as a pharmacist, no matter how you arrange your alphabet soup.
 
Thanks for your opinion but I'm good and I didn't want to be referred as that constantly, glad you got the whole "point" of all this though(sarcasm bc you probably won't get that either).
 
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Nobody ever calls Pharm.D a Dr..but I see people call a PA as Dr. Just get over with it.
 
That was not even the point of this thread nor was it at all what it was about, do you even read bro?...lmao
 
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