There are a number of different abbreviations after a doctor’s name, and while it’s unlikely that you will know them all, some are better known than others. This guide will help you determine whether you’re getting the care and information that you seek from the appropriate professional.
Doctor Abbreviations
The abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms that come after a doctor’s name can signify a number of different things. They might indicate the type of schooling or training they received so that they’d be qualified to specialize in a certain field.
- They can indicate professional associations to which they belong.
Other Degrees and Associations
While most people tend to associate doctors with the medical community, there are many other types of doctors and degrees that aren’t necessarily related to medicine at all.
Just What the Doctor Ordered
The letters after a doctor’s name can refer to the degree or to a related professional organization in which the person has been accepted as a fellow or member, allowing them to practice their profession
Medical and Dental Degrees
There are many types of abbreviations that follow a physician’s name.
- AuD
- Doctor of Audiology, DC, DDS, DMD, DO, DO or OD, DPM, DPT, DSc, DSN, and PharmD are some examples of these.
Medical Associations
In addition to degrees, certificates and other certifications that doctors may receive, they may also have to belong to certain professional or medical associations in order to do their job.
- A doctor with a fellowship means they are dedicated to furthering their education, research, or overall contribution to medicine.
