Doctor
A doctor is a medical professional with an MD, a PhD, or any other doctoral degree that treats patients with medical conditions. A doctor may, for example, be a physician, psychologist, neurologist, surgeon, dentist, or dermatologist.
Advanced Practice Provider (APP)
A clinical provider who is not a doctor. An APP has completed training, certification, and licensure that allows them to care for patients. APPs play an important role as part of the healthcare team. They work closely with all members to ensure patients are the focus of their care.
Patients have the right to be seen by a physician instead of an Advanced Practice Provider. If this is your wish, please inform the hospital, office, or clinic staff.
Read what services APPs can provide.
Types of Advanced Practice Providers
Physician Assistant (PA-C)
- A physician assistant is an Advanced Practice Provider licensed to provide medical care under the supervision of a physician. Physician Assistants obtain a masters degree at the completion of their program.
- Training includes extensive clinical rotations, focusing on medical models of care (including surgical training) and overall health and wellness, which prepare them to practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Physician Assistants are nationally board certified and maintain continuing education throughout their careers.
- Additional resources about physician assistants can be found on the American Academy of Physician Assistants website.
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)
- A Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) is a registered nurse with a master's or doctorate degree with specific advanced nursing education and training.
- Nurse practitioners are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNS)
- Training involves extensive clinical rotations, focused on nursing and medical models of care and overall health and wellness to prepare them to practice in a variety of settings.
- Nurse practitioners are nationally board certified and maintain continuing education throughout their careers.
- Additional resources about nurse practitioners can be found on the American Association of Nurse Practitioners website.
Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses with graduate level education.
- CRNAs provide anesthesia in collaboration with surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, physician anesthesiologists, and other qualified healthcare professionals.
- CRNAs are nationally board certified and maintain continuing education throughout their careers.
- Additional resources about Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists can be found on the AANA website.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM)
- A certified nurse midwife is a registered nurse with a master's or doctorate degree with advanced nursing education, training and certification in the diagnosis, management, prevention of common and complex medical conditions in women and infants, as well as reproductive health.
- Certified nurse midwives are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
- Training includes extensive clinical rotations, focusing on health and wellness throughout a woman's reproductive life, including preconception, pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
- Certified nurse midwives are nationally board certified and maintain continuing education throughout their careers.
- Additional resources about certified nurse midwives can be found on the American College of Nurse Midwives website.