Health library

What's in a name?

MD, DO, PA, NP—find out what it all means for your care

Grande Ronde Hospital (GRH) is expanding the number of primary and specialty care providers to keep pace with the demands and needs of our patients. We have seen a significant increase in nurse practitioners, as well as physician assistants, medical assistants and more. As these providers become mainstream across the nation, more of them are also coming to La Grande to work for a thriving, small rural health system.

Once in a while, we get questions from the community about this diverse workforce and what the credentials stand for that go beyond the traditional MD and RN. We hope to explore a few at a time in upcoming issues of Life and Health.

What is a doctor of osteopathy?

Most physicians you see have "MD" after their name. But there's another type of physician that is also fully trained and qualified. These are osteopathic physicians, known as DOs.

DOs complete four years of medical school and 3 to 10 years in internships, residencies and fellowships.

There are DOs in all types of settings and in every medical specialty. Like MDs, they must pass state licensing examinations. About 7 percent of physicians in the U.S. are DOs, and that number is rapidly rising. Today, about 1 in 5 medical students is attending an osteopathic medical school.

When you see a DO, you can expect the latest in medical techniques and services. DOs diagnose and treat illnesses and prescribe medicine, and some perform surgery. They also are trained to treat the patient as a whole person and to emphasize wellness and healthy lifestyles.

DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system. They practice a hands-on system of gentle pressure, stretching and resistance to move muscles and joints.

This technique is called osteopathic manipulative treatment. It's one tool DOs use to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses. GRH currently employs 10 DOs with the addition of Adam Heisinger, DO (see page 2).

What is a physician assistant (PA)?

Don't be fooled by their title: PAs are not assistants to a physician. These licensed medical experts can examine, diagnose and treat patients, as well as prescribe medicine. And while they collaborate with doctors, PAs also see patients on their own.

They see patients in medical offices, hospitals, outpatient centers and other settings. In some clinics, PAs are the primary care providers you might see on a regular basis. Some even specialize—for instance, in family medicine, urology or orthopedics.

Their specific duties can depend on where they practice, their specialty, state laws and other factors. In general, PAs can:

Do physical exams
Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries
Order and interpret x-rays, blood work or other medical tests
Create treatment plans
Talk to you about ways to stay healthy or manage a chronic disease
Assist in surgery

PAs have a solid medical education and experience. Their background typically includes a master's degree, state licensing and extensive clinical training. GRH currently employs three PAs.

What is a nurse practitioner (NP)?

For starters, NPs are highly trained and qualified health care providers. They're registered nurses who have additional medical training and national certification. They also have either a master's or a doctoral degree. They may have extra credentials, such as FNP, ANP, or even DCNP, indicating an additional specialty within the field of the NP designation.

Many NPs provide primary and specialty care. They work in a variety of settings, such as clinics, hospitals, urgent care sites and nursing homes. Like doctors, they can diagnose and treat many illnesses and injuries. And they consult with doctors when needed.

For instance, an NP may:

Perform your physical exam
Diagnose and treat various health conditions like diabetes or an infection
Perform and order tests
Prescribe medicines
Teach you to how to make healthy lifestyle choices to prevent or manage an illness

For more information on all of our providers, visit our online Provider Directory at grh.org.

Sources: American Osteopathic Association; American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine; American Academy of Physician Assistants; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics