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Feeling a bit lost in the sea of primary care provider acronyms? Whether you choose an MD, DO, PA or NP for your primary care provider, knowing a bit about their educational journey and the specific regulations in Oregon can help you find the right fit for your health care needs.
To get an MD, doctors complete four years of medical school after undergraduate. After that, they spend three more years in a residency to fine-tune their skills. Some even go the extra mile to specialize in areas like orthopedics or neurology.
In Oregon, MDs must obtain a license from the Oregon Medical Board to practice medicine. This process typically involves completing medical school, passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination, completing a residency program, and meeting other board requirements.
Similar to MDs, DOs do four years of medical school followed by a three-year residency. The main difference is that DOs take a more holistic approach, focusing on the whole person rather than just symptoms. Plus, they get some extra training in osteopathic manipulative treatment, which involves hands-on techniques for treating and preventing illness.
In Oregon, DOs must also obtain a license from the OMB to practice medicine. This typically involves completing medical school, passing the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, completing a residency program, and meeting other board requirements.
Oregon's scope of practice regulations for MDs and DOs may include specific guidelines regarding telemedicine, prescribing controlled substances, and collaborating with other health care professionals.
Next up, we've got PAs (sometimes also written as PA-C or "physician assistant"). These folks spend three years in a graduate program, learning the ropes of medicine. PAs can do physical exams, diagnose illnesses and even assist in surgeries. They work under the guidance of an MD or DO but have plenty of autonomy in decision-making.
In Oregon, PAs must obtain a license from the Oregon Medical Board (OMB). This typically involves completing a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam and meeting other board requirements. Oregon's scope of practice regulations for PAs may specify the extent of what they can do in clinical practice, including prescribing authority, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and collaborating with supervising physicians.
Lastly, let's talk about NPs and FNPs — family nurse practitioners. These are professional nurses with advanced training beyond your typical nurse. They usually have at least a master's degree, sometimes even a doctorate. NPs can act as primary care providers or specialize in areas like family health or pediatrics.
In Oregon, nurse practitioners have specific regulations that grant them full practice authority. This means they can evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate and manage treatments independently. This autonomy is granted after NPs have completed specific education and training requirements and have practiced under a collaborating agreement with a physician for a certain number of hours. Additionally, Oregon requires NPs to obtain a national certification from an accredited organization, such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This certification ensures that NPs have met rigorous national standards in their area of specialization.