Just curious...

[Tigerx]

Hey Guys,
So i was reading through some old threads a I was curious about something: What prevents a DO who completes an ACGME residency from using MD in their title during practice?
I ask this because I know when MBBS etc come in from other countries and go through residency training here, they use "M.D" initials even though they dont actually have the degree . Is there some rules/ regulations regarding this?
Just wondering.

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[Mass Effect]

Hey Guys,
So i was reading through some old threads a I was curious about something: What prevents a DO who completes an ACGME residency from using MD in their title during practice?

The law. It's illegal.

 

[MirrorTodd]

The law. It's illegal.

Well technically, the law doesn't prevent you. It just makes it a little uncomfortable when you get caught.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Residency doesn't give you your degree, medical school does.

 

[Tigerx]

Right, so how are those who study overseas able to come in and use MD titles? You never see Dr. John Smith MBBS... I believe this is a common practice right

 

[kenjixshadow]

Right, so how are those who study overseas able to come in and use MD titles? You never see Dr. John Smith MBBS... I believe this is a common practice right

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/abo...uestions/faqs-about-practicing-medicine.page?

For DO to change the title to MD, it can be done by the decision of the state. For example, in 1964, California Medical Association issued the degree MD to all DO in the state of California for $64. However, this stopped because the AOA filed the lawsuit. In another word, AOA must be absorbed or disbanded if you want to use the MD title.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteopathic_Physicians_&_Surgeons_v._California_Medical_Ass'n

 

[meliora27]

Some interesting reading that addresses your question from the state of Maryland

https://www.mbp.state.md.us/forms/dr_designation.pdf

And from the NY courts:

http://www.leagle.com/decision/19831365561FSupp804_11260

 

[s5260205]

The scope of practice of podiatry greatly overlaps with other medical specialties. In other countries where podiatrists are rare or non-existent, foot care is almost entirely under orthopaedic surgery. Would you then consider granting podiatrists MD degrees? It is the same rationale for DO which is identical to MD except for OMM. The distinctions between all these medical degrees are rooted in history, and there are so much at stake for the respective governing bodies (AOA/APMA) that I do not see how DOs or DPMs would become MDs any time soon.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Right, so how are those who study overseas able to come in and use MD titles? You never see Dr. John Smith MBBS... I believe this is a common practice right

(not my answer, from google)

MBBS=Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

It is equivalent to a US MD degree, but all FMG have to go through all the steps and the residency.

It is NOT a combination of bachelors and masters. (There is no major...all you study are the medical subjects for a longer period of time.) Also there are no multiple choice exams...they are all essay and verbal exams.

I used to live in India, where they this degree is given to all doctors.

 

[group_theory]

A DO who goes by MD on purpose may be violating the law (and if your state board finds out, can sanction you/fine you). If that were to happen, have fun explaining that one on any future hospital credential applications and state license applications (almost all ask if you ever been discipline by the board). How would the board find out? All it takes is a disgruntle patient, patient's family, or employee filing a complaint with the state board

Examples:

California
http://www.ombc.ca.gov/bd_activity/laws_regs/regulations.shtml
§1685. Display of Name and Earned Degree.
(a) Any licensee of the Board shall prominently display at the entrance to any facility in which he primarily practices, the name of the facility, the names of the licensees practicing therein, and their earned degree.
(b) Any licensee of the Board shall designate himself by his earned degree "D.O.," and/or the term "Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon," and shall prominently display this designation on all printed materials employed in his practice relating to his licensed function as a physician and surgeon. A D.O. licensed by the Board shall not use the term "M.D."

Arizona
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/32/01853.htm&Title=32&DocType=ARS
32-1853. Use of title
A person licensed under this chapter shall use the title "osteopathic physician and surgeon", "osteopathic physician" or "doctor of osteopathy" or affix the initials "D.O." after the licensee's name.

Pennsylvania
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter25/subchapDtoc.html
§ 25.212. Professional advertising.
(b) Advertising, letterhead, publications or transmissions shall designate or indicate the licensee’s school of medical practice by the term ‘‘D.O.,’’ ‘‘doctor of osteopathy,’’ ‘‘osteopathic physician’’ or ‘‘osteopathic physician and surgeon.’’

 

[Tigerx]

Great discussion/ points everyone. Thanks for the input!

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

When you posted the Maryland one it immediately caught my eye since it is my home state. But I thought about the legit shame I would feel having graduated a DO school and trying to change my degree to MD. Its like, you will have the diploma of your school on your office wall, yet you will be an MD? Not that patients would know or care, seeing as for the most part they only know of Harvard crap anyways lol. But still, I would feel like I was throwing a part of me away if I was to try and change it?

 

[NurWollen]

A DO who goes by MD on purpose may be violating the law (and if your state board finds out, can sanction you/fine you). If that were to happen, have fun explaining that one on any future hospital credential applications and state license applications (almost all ask if you ever been discipline by the board). How would the board find out? All it takes is a disgruntle patient, patient's family, or employee filing a complaint with the state board

Examples:

California
http://www.ombc.ca.gov/bd_activity/laws_regs/regulations.shtml
§1685. Display of Name and Earned Degree.
(a) Any licensee of the Board shall prominently display at the entrance to any facility in which he primarily practices, the name of the facility, the names of the licensees practicing therein, and their earned degree.
(b) Any licensee of the Board shall designate himself by his earned degree "D.O.," and/or the term "Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon," and shall prominently display this designation on all printed materials employed in his practice relating to his licensed function as a physician and surgeon. A D.O. licensed by the Board shall not use the term "M.D."

Arizona
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/32/01853.htm&Title=32&DocType=ARS
32-1853. Use of title
A person licensed under this chapter shall use the title "osteopathic physician and surgeon", "osteopathic physician" or "doctor of osteopathy" or affix the initials "D.O." after the licensee's name.

Pennsylvania
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter25/subchapDtoc.html
§ 25.212. Professional advertising.
(b) Advertising, letterhead, publications or transmissions shall designate or indicate the licensee’s school of medical practice by the term ‘‘D.O.,’’ ‘‘doctor of osteopathy,’’ ‘‘osteopathic physician’’ or ‘‘osteopathic physician and surgeon.’’

So under these or similar laws, if I were a family doc could I put, "Nur Wollen, D.O." with the subheading "Physician," "Family Physician," etc., or would the subheading have to read "Osteopathic Physician/Osteopathic Family Physician"?

I'm thinking the former would be fine since I would clearly be identifying myself as an osteopathic physician with the letters D.O.

In the same vein, I guess "Dr. Nur Wollen, Family Physician" would technically be illegal, even without using M.D.?