Our family wishes to thank everyone who worked with our dad. Your exceptional caregivers did so much for him to keep him comfortable. We are very appreciative and thankful for their help. We'd also like to thank the ladies in the office who were so very helpful and easy to work with also.

"Question of the Week"

Note: This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for general information only. Please always consult a professional in your state for advice.

What is a Geriatrician and what do the designations PA, MD and DO mean?

Answer:

A Geriatrician is an internal medicine physician with additional education and training who specializes in the care of older adults.

A PA or Physician Assistant, is a healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PA's conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive healthcare, assist in surgery and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. With the physician-PA relationship, a physician assistant exercises autonomy in medical decision making and provides a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's role may also include education, research and administrative services.

An MD or Doctor of Medicine, is one of the physician designations (like DO) that identifies a physician who has completed medical school and appropriate advanced training. MD's usually complete four years of medical school and additional years of residency training and then may become certified as specialists in such fields as family practice, emergency medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics, etc.

A DO or Doctor of Osteopathy, is fully trained in all aspects of medicine, just like an MD. DO's receive additional training in structural medicine and are certified as well to do manipulations. They take a holistic approach to medicine, looking at the whole patient to determine the best treatment plan. DO's like MD's obtain certification in family practice, orthopedics, surgery, obstetrics, neurosurgery and so forth.