What's the worst thing that can happen if a DO impersonates an MD?

[Smiths11]

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Serious question

 

[asuka99]

Serious question

silly question

 

[Ost3oclast]

silly question

Very.

 

[evilbooyaa]

Loss of respect from peers, especially DO peers.

Probably some legal thing maybe? Not sure if there are legal ramifications.

 

[username456789]

The Holocaust II.

 

[rog411]

since we're on this topic...what about doctors from India that have an MBBS but use MD here in the US? the two degrees are equivalent in terms of curriculum but is it OK to switch the two?

 

[shan564]

since we're on this topic...what about doctors from India that have an MBBS but use MD here in the US? the two degrees are equivalent in terms of curriculum but is it OK to switch the two?

Yes.

 

[tiedyeddog]

you'll get a hang nail.

have you ever had a hang nail? brutality.

 

[ManaPool]

since we're on this topic...what about doctors from India that have an MBBS but use MD here in the US? the two degrees are equivalent in terms of curriculum but is it OK to switch the two?

And I get where you are going with this, but DO is not the same curriculum because it was started in order to distance itself from MD by creating OMM.

 

[Planes2Doc]

They won't be allowed to use restrooms during their third year.

 

[shan564]

They force you to combine the two names - DO + MD = OD. You'll have to spend the rest of your life as an optometrist.

 

[engineeredout]

Patients will come to you expecting real medicine and be completely shocked and disappointed when all you can do is crack them.

 

[EmergDoc2B]

The DO would get reprimanded for treating the patient as symptom or disease and not a person. Or, or they come off as a callous Jacka@# because they only speak to the patient about the particular system they treat and when asked about something other than that system they look at the patient like they released flatulence.

Doctor impersonating a Doctor? Scandalous!

 

[girlonfire]

Doesn't matter as long as they provide good care.

 

[CDI]

since we're on this topic...what about doctors from India that have an MBBS but use MD here in the US? the two degrees are equivalent in terms of curriculum but is it OK to switch the two?

Yes. You are formally allowed to use the "M.D." title on correspondence as the ECMFG certification is an equivalency certification. Now if someone were to ask you what your formal degree is, you probably can't go around saying you have a Doctorate in Medicine.

 

[munchymanRX]

Serious question

nothing. they have the same medical license.

 

[DrBowtie]

nothing. they have the same medical license.

Same License doesn't mean same degree.

 

[munchymanRX]

Same License doesn't mean same degree.

sure, but the question was what would happen if one tried to impersonate the other.

from a legal standpoint-exactly zip.

 

[CDI]

Question is why would they even misrepresent their own degree with no real added benefit to themselves?

If they go overseas, they might get looked at like an outcast/reject/incompetent until they explain to others that they're actually licensed the same.

 

[CDI]

sure, but the question was what would happen if one tried to impersonate the other.

from a legal standpoint-exactly zip.

Just cause they're licensed the same doesn't mean they can go around saying they have a Doctorate in Medicine or even use the MD title. They went through different (medical school) training, and it would be misleading to say otherwise. I'm sure some patient and their pitbull lawyer could spin it into a successful lawsuit if it came down to it.

 

[touchpause13]

WWIII


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[Bacchus]

Isn't this grounds for licensure revocation?

 

[munchymanRX]

Isn't this grounds for licensure revocation?

doubt it. a lot of the DOs at our school's hospital have MD on the badge and coats because the hospital doesn't want to spend the time to print new ones. The computer system just refers to everyone as "doctor".

 

[rog411]

doubt it. a lot of the DOs at our school's hospital have MD on the badge and coats because the hospital doesn't want to spend the time to print new ones. The computer system just refers to everyone as "doctor".

just wait until the hospital puts MD on the DNP badges too for the same reason 😛

 

[CDI]

doubt it. a lot of the DOs at our school's hospital have MD on the badge and coats because the hospital doesn't want to spend the time to print new ones. The computer system just refers to everyone as "doctor".

Nice! Which hospital is that!? ;-) I've been looking for a quick payday (lawsuit)! This studying is taking a toll on me.

 

[felix2929]

Nice! Which hospital is that!? ;-) I've been looking for a quick payday (lawsuit)! This studying is taking a toll on me.

What exactly would you be suing for? How do the letters on a badge hurt you?

 

[rog411]

What exactly would you be suing for? How do the letters on a badge hurt you?

misrepresenting your credentials is wrong and misleading. it doesn't matter whether the degrees are equivalent or not, the fact is you can only use the letters you earned.

 

[felix2929]

misrepresenting your credentials is wrong and misleading. it doesn't matter whether the degrees are equivalent or not, the fact is you can only use the letters you earned.

right but i dont see how it would be grounds for an individual to sue you

 

[rog411]

right but i dont see how it would be grounds for an individual to sue you

i'm no lawyer, but I think you'd be able to sue along the same lines as false advertising.

 

[felix2929]

i'm no lawyer, but I think you'd be able to sue along the same lines as false advertising.

i didnt take torts either but i doubt it. Since your ability to practice medicine is tied to your license not your degree.

 

[NeuroLAX]

Isn't this grounds for licensure revocation?

I found this from Oregon as grounds for suspending, revoking, or refusing to grant license, registration, or certification:

"Using the name of the licensee under the designation doctor, Dr., D.O. or M.D., D.P.M., Acupuncturist, P.A. or any similar designation in any form of advertising that is untruthful or is intended to deceive or mislead the public."

So, it looks like it would be grounds for punitive action, at least in Oregon. My state (FL) has similar language, particularly in 458.331.1(d), although it is more vague than Oregon.

doubt it. a lot of the DOs at our school's hospital have MD on the badge and coats because the hospital doesn't want to spend the time to print new ones. The computer system just refers to everyone as "doctor".

I'm not sure how common of a practice this is, but I've seen it elsewhere as well.

 

[shan564]

right but i dont see how it would be grounds for an individual to sue you

If nothing else, it could qualify as fraud.

 

[rog411]

i didnt take torts either but i doubt it. Since your ability to practice medicine is tied to your license not your degree.

it's not that simple. for example, a cardiologist and a family doc have the same degree and license, but if a family doc tells patients he's a cardiologist that would be false advertising, because even though they both have the same license and degree, they have actually gone through different training.

a relevant example - MDs and DOs have the same license, but if an MD switched the letters after his name to DO and led patients to believe that he was trained in DO-specific stuff like OMM, that would be false advertising too.

bottom line is, if you misrepresent yourself, you'll likely end up in some sort of legal trouble.

edit: i guess fraud is a better term, as the poster above pointed out.

 

[DocVapor]

it's not that simple. for example, a cardiologist and a family doc have the same degree and license, but if a family doc tells patients he's a cardiologist that would be false advertising, because even though they both have the same license and degree, they have actually gone through different training.

a relevant example - MDs and DOs have the same license, but if an MD switched the letters after his name to DO and led patients to believe that he was trained in DO-specific stuff like OMM, that would be false advertising too.

edit: i guess fraud is a better term, as the poster above pointed out.

I have OMM faculty that are MD's.

I think a judge would laugh this whole situation out of court. But that's just my thought.

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

Patients will come to you expecting real medicine and be completely shocked and disappointed when all you can do is crack them.

Clever! 😉

 

[NeuroLAX]

I have OMM faculty that are MD's.

I think a judge would laugh this whole situation out of court. But that's just my thought.

Do they have PM&R training? I'm just curious.

 

[rog411]

I have OMM faculty that are MD's.

I think a judge would laugh this whole situation out of court. But that's just my thought.

I dunno.. I still think it is a bad idea. Letting people switch around their credentials without any penalty is getting dangerously close to midlevels providers just deciding to adopt the MD/DO .... only a few more "equivalence" studies away ...that's why I hope they are strict about people only using the credentials they earned.

 

[DocVapor]

Do they have PM&R training? I'm just curious.

Not entirely sure. But they are certainly capable.

 

[felix2929]

it's not that simple. for example, a cardiologist and a family doc have the same degree and license, but if a family doc tells patients he's a cardiologist that would be false advertising.

a relevant example - MDs and DOs have the same license, but if an MD switched the letters after his name to DO and led patients to believe that he was trained in DO-specific stuff like OMM, that would be false advertising too.

edit: i guess fraud is a better term, as the poster above pointed out.

Yea but i think in all of these examples you'd have to prove some sort of damage to have any standing in a law suit, and you'd have to prove intent. I think you'd have a case with a family practice doc opening up a cardiology practice (he'd also have a tough time finding somewhere to do anything other than prescribe meds) but doubtful case with a random DO treating you with a badge that says MD instead

 

[NeuroLAX]

I dunno.. I still think it is a bad idea. Letting people switch around their credentials without any penalty is getting dangerously close to midlevels providers just deciding to adopt the MD/DO .... only a few more "equivalence" studies away ...that's why I hope they are strict about people only using the credentials they earned.

True, misrepresentation is not a good idea. But I think you're exaggerating a bit when you give an example like that.

 

[rog411]

True, misrepresentation is not a good idea. But I think you're exaggerating a bit when you give an example like that.

i agree, it's an exaggeration, but I don't think it's completely out of the question. Just today I talked to a man who told me his wife was a "physician". When I asked more about it, it turns out she is an NP. I don't know where he could have gotten the idea that she was a physician, other than from her.

 

[NeuroLAX]

i agree, it's an exaggeration, but I don't think it's completely out of the question. Just today I talked to a man who told me his wife was a "physician". When I asked more about it, it turns out she is an NP. I don't know where he could have gotten the idea that she was a physician, other than from her.

Not necessarily. Many people think anyone wearing a white lab coat is a physician. It's a common error made by people who perhaps don't know any better.

I've been called "doc" while wearing my short lab coat at my preceptor's office. I politely say that I'm a medical student, and move on.

 

[felix2929]

Not necessarily. Many people think anyone wearing a white lab coat is a physician. It's a common error made by people who perhaps don't know any better.

I've been called "doc" while wearing my short lab coat at my preceptor's office. I politely say that I'm a medical student, and move on.

You are lucky you haven't been sued for fraud, being that you are an osteopathic medical student.

 

[shamwowzer]

I dunno.. I still think it is a bad idea. Letting people switch around their credentials without any penalty is getting dangerously close to midlevels providers just deciding to adopt the MD/DO .... only a few more "equivalence" studies away ...that's why I hope they are strict about people only using the credentials they earned.

Slippery slope fallacy for the win. DO/MD, if board certified in a given field, have small (if any) differences in scope; and in specialties like ENT, cardiology, etc there is no difference because OMT snake oil isn't used.

 

[rog411]

Not necessarily. Many people think anyone wearing a white lab coat is a physician. It's a common error made by people who perhaps don't know any better.

I've been called "doc" while wearing my short lab coat at my preceptor's office. I politely say that I'm a medical student, and move on.

true, but you would expect that somebody married to a healthcare provider would know better, wouldn't you? unless that provider was intentionally misrepresenting themselves to everyone, including their spouse...

 

[CDI]

Yea but i think in all of these examples you'd have to prove some sort of damage to have any standing in a law suit, and you'd have to prove intent. I think you'd have a case with a family practice doc opening up a cardiology practice (he'd also have a tough time finding somewhere to do anything other than prescribe meds) but doubtful case with a random DO treating you with a badge that says MD instead

Right. Its probably kind of a "secondary offense" and just hurts your defense if/when you're sued. Unless its against your state licensing rules.

 

[rog411]

Yea but i think in all of these examples you'd have to prove some sort of damage to have any standing in a law suit, and you'd have to prove intent. I think you'd have a case with a family practice doc opening up a cardiology practice (he'd also have a tough time finding somewhere to do anything other than prescribe meds) but doubtful case with a random DO treating you with a badge that says MD instead

I dunno, didn't poland spring lose a lawsuit because they weren't technically using water directly from a spring? I mean, it did absolutely no measurable damage.

edit: looked it up, the company settled for $10 million.

 

[felix2929]

I dunno, didn't poland spring lose a lawsuit because they weren't technically using water directly from a spring? I mean, it did absolutely no measurable damage.

i dont know. ill ask my soon to be unemployed, 3rd year law student sister about it...

 

[NeuroLAX]

Slippery slope fallacy for the win. DO/MD, if board certified in a given field, have small (if any) differences in scope; and in specialties like ENT, cardiology, etc there is no difference because OMT snake oil isn't used.

There is absolutely zero difference in scope between an MD and DO in the same field. The only difference in practice is if the DO chooses to perform OMT for an indicated condition.

 

[rog411]

i dont know. ill ask my soon to be unemployed, 3rd year law student sister about it...

"The suit's plaintiffs are seeking to ban Nestlé from advertising its products as spring water and unspecified monetary damages for the difference between the cost of tap water and a bottle or jug of bottled water from Poland Spring."

so.. i guess you could sue the misrepresnting DO and force him to represent himself properly, but I guess you can't get any money out of it since the MD and DO would have cost the same....