I've always wanted to know what the difference is

[Joe NightingMale]

between an NP and a general practice/family practice MD?

I always got the impression that they're very similar.

Or maybe it's just my continuing confusion about what the NP role is.

[forpath]

example from today: there was an 84 year old lady, very sweet with an extensive problem list. came in for angina last week. she has charcot-marie ii syndrome and horrible tardive dyskinesia.

i think this is a pretty good example of the difference between an np and an md.

this particular np thinks it is called "charcot-marie ii syndrome", whereas an md would know it is charcot marie tooth syndrome. which means that this particular nurse misheard the name of the syndrome as spoken by the doc, didn't bother to look it up, and then posted on here.

[forpath]

I think this is a pretty good example of the difference between an NP and an MD.

This particular NP thinks it is called "Charcot-Marie II syndrome", whereas an MD would know it is Charcot Marie TOOTH Syndrome. Which means that this particular nurse MISHEARD the name of the syndrome as spoken by the doc, didn't bother to look it up, and then posted on here.

Not to mention this would imply there is a Charcot Marie I syndrome as well.

[DaisyRN, ACNP]

it has been corrected... and no, i asked the patient about it. it was misdocumented in her medical record (not by me) and she had done a great bit of research about the condition, so asked her to share her knowledge with me and i looked it up that night (after i had already posted here).

i had never heard of the condition before her, so how would i have known the difference. i have no problem expressing when i have misunderstood or do not know what something is and have corrected the mistake. and i do not pretend to understand something when i do not.

that is no reason to ridicule or put down someone... plus the doctor did not even spend 2 minutes with her. he could care less. i spent the time talking with her and addressing her concerns, while still being efficient for the clinic. so, it was a typo before i had looked it up... which wasn't even the point. if you were a patient, wouldn't you rather someone pay attention to you and take the time to address your needs? i know i would.

[dhigbee]

This NP has heard of Charcot Marie TOOTH Syndrome. It's not something one expects to see frequently. And yes, there are several types, including types 1 and 2.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

And, types III and IV as well. With several sub-types.

You are correct, DaisyRN and dhigbee.

Here's a link to the dz: CMT Association