Reply To: Reducing Confusion

[Angelica]

Thank you for asking this question, Gabriela. There are several ways that the healthcare industry can educate the public on doctoral degrees within different professions by conducting seminars, dispersing educational pamphlets, or releasing informative emails directly to patients and staff. Another way would be to require all healthcare professionals to complete an online class, through the hospital, and require a quiz to ensure understanding. It may also be helpful for hospitals to remind DNPs to make known that he/she is a nurse with a doctorate degree. However, I believe it would be more effective if professions and doctoral degree education started in schools so that the youth can learn what a doctoral degree is and how different professions can use the title “Dr” and not be a medical physician. Not only can this help reduce confusion, but it will also be helpful for children to ponder what they would like to achieve in time. Youths can also clarify the degree and title with parents to avoid confusion. An informative video appropriate to age, followed by a quiz the following day, could be one way that children could learn about this topic. Another way could be through PowerPoint presentations or by simply using flashcards.