In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. takes listeners through the confusing world of professional titles, credentials, and deception in healthcare. From honorary doctorates and unaccredited "doctor" programs to PhDs and clinical doctorates, we expose how titles can mislead patients. We also discuss the risks when non-clinicians give medical advice, and what laws and tools exist to protect the public.
Key Topics Covered
Distinctions between MD, DO, PhD, DNP, PharmD, etc.
Honorary & unaccredited "doctorates" and how they're misused
Why it matters: public trust, misinformation, patient safety
Legal & ethical implications of misusing "Doctor"
Tools for verifying credentials and NPI
Resources
AMA: Truth in Advertising Campaign → https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/truth-advertising
Federation of State Medical Boards → https://www.fsmb.org/
Pew Research on health misinformation → https://www.pewresearch.org
Example state law (Florida "Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act") → https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2021/456.072
NPI Lookup (NPI Profile) → https://npiprofile.com/npi-lookup/
Certification Matters (verify physician board certification) → https://www.certificationmatters.org/
DocInfo.org (verify doctor license history) → https://www.docinfo.org/
Connect With Us
Host – Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D.
Website: https://drkeishadavis.komi.io
Podcast: https://themedicalcollective.komi.io
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