The alphabet soup designating specific credentials among healthcare providers can be confusing and even misleading to non-professionals. From the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), here’s a handy rundown. Remember to check out the exact qualifications of any healthcare professional you’re considering.
- MD signifies medical physician.
- DO means osteopathic physician.
- DC means chiropractic physician.
- ND and NMD mean naturopathic physician.
- PA means physician assistant.
- DNP, NP, ANP, ARNP, CRNP, and FNP are nurse practitioners; DNPs are Doctors of Nursing Practice; nurse midwives are CNM.
- RPh and PharmD are pharmacists.
- APRN, RN, RNC, BSN, and MSN are nurses.
- LCSW and MSW are social workers.
- PhD means a doctorate degree in an academic field, such as in chemistry.
- NCMP means NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner, a designation offered by NAMS to all healthcare professionals who pass the society’s competency exam. The designation is renewable every three years, either by re-taking the exam or by submitting credentials in appropriate continuing-education courses.