Many patients are choosing providers outside of the traditional medical system because of negative experiences with MDs. In a time where there are so many doctors, experts, and gurus to choose from, there’s no need to stay with a provider that is failing you. At the same time, figuring out who is well-positioned to help you has become quite confusing. From doctors who aren’t medical doctors to specialists advising outside of their specialty, how are you supposed to know what to look for? With this episode, I want to get you thinking about your providers and to be empowered in choosing whose advice you follow. I’m sharing what the letters behind providers’ names mean, the differences between similar-sounding specialties, and the red flags that you should be aware of when selecting a provider.   Highlights The confusion caused by non-medical practitioners with the title “Dr.” Core tenet for credential clarity: Always clarify what type of Dr. you are Getting clear on the training and experience behind: MD: Medical Doctor; 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school, residency and possibly fellowship DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; similar training path to MDs but with an additional study on manipulative therapy Naturopath/Naturopathic Doctor: operate on the six principles of naturopathic medicine; usually a 4-year program Chiropractic Physician/Doctor of Chiropractic: Focus on the musculoskeletal anatomy DPT: Doctor of Physical Therapy; Graduate degree; required to indicate that they are physical therapists when using the title of Dr. Clinical Nutritionist: analyzes a person's diet along with their medical history; often licensed and can usually order labs Registered Dietitian (RDN): food and nutrition experts; internship after completing their degree; can sometimes order labs Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC): educates clients on their lifestyle and dietary habits; can sit for a certified board exam after completing education and experience requirements Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN)/Integrative Functional Nutritionist: receive nutrition training but don’t necessarily have a medical background Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners: lengthy degree requirement; aim to find the energetic body aspect of your illness and correct it from that angle Acupuncturist: degree program differentiated them from someone who does needling Keys differences between: Psychologists vs. psychiatrists Plastic surgeon vs. cosmetic surgeon Nurse practitioners (NP) vs. physician assistants (PA)     Resources Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/ Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/ Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/   Learn more at https://tassonemd.com/podcast/.     Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.