What is the difference between a medical doctor and a nurse practitioner?

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have expanded their experience with continuing education and training to increase their scope of practice. They are qualified to diagnose and treat common health conditions, prescribe medications, and perform physical examinations. Medical doctors (MDs) are physicians who have completed medical school and residency training. They are qualified to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions, perform surgeries, and prescribe medications.

Why is sharing my medical history so important during a general consultation?

Your medical history is the foundation of your care. It provides crucial context for your NP to understand your current health and potential risks. Past illnesses, surgeries, chronic conditions, medications (including over-the-counter and supplements), allergies, and family history all contribute to a complete picture of your health. Even seemingly small details can be relevant, so be prepared to share as much information as possible.

How can I best prepare for my general consultation?

Preparation is key for a productive consultation. Gather your medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries, chronic conditions, and medications. Make a list of all medications and supplements you take, including dosages. Also, prepare a list of questions you have for your NP. Thinking about your health goals beforehand can also be beneficial.

Meet Your Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner: Andrena McDonald

Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner

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I am a dedicated Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of experience working with a culturally diverse population. I was born in London England and came to Toronto Canada at the age of 16. With the support and encouragement of my mother (a retired nurse), I pursued a career in nursing and completed my general training. My passion and commitment to helping people grew exponentially, and I realized I needed to further my career so I could continue to help people live healthier lives. I went back to school and got my bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Ryerson University in 2003, following which I pursued and obtained my Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification at York University in 2006.

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I then realized the impact I could make within my community and patients’ lives by providing better access to quality Health Care. Throughout my years in practice, I continued to gain experience in different areas of healthcare, serving people in various healthcare settings in search of a workplace that used integrative approaches to healthcare that combined holistic and traditional views of medicine.

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After some years of searching with no success, I finally took a leap of faith and worked for a clinic that offered a unique and fresh perspective to health care. It was a preventive healthcare approach to medicine that offered a wide variety of healthcare services under one roof. I could educate patients on health promotion and illness prevention while having access to healthcare professionals that share the same goals. We looked at the root cause of their illness. Sometimes some of my patients could reverse their symptoms if they were early in their diagnosis. It was then that I had an A-HA! moment. This was my calling. This is what I wanted to do!! However, it was not cost-effective for everyone to be able to access this level of service.

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So, After consideration and many conversations, I decided to start my practice. There was a point where I had to be a patient myself in the current Health Care system due to having my health journey of being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease within the last 3years. It motivated me to start my practice. I was not getting any answers to my health concerns. I became increasingly frustrated with the health system and refused to accept this as the norm.

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I began to tap into the knowledge I had gained over the years that intertwined traditional and holistic approaches. Through diet and vitamins in combination with daily exercise, I have been able to control my debilitating symptoms. So, I wanted to share and help my community. Letting them know that they can do the same for their health. This was the start of
NP Health Clinic...

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FAQ: Consultation

What is the difference between a medical doctor and a nurse practitioner?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have expanded their experience with continuing education and training to increase their scope of practice. They are qualified to diagnose and treat common health conditions, prescribe medications, and perform physical examinations. Medical doctors (MDs) are physicians who have completed medical school and residency training. They are qualified to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions, perform surgeries, and prescribe medications.
Why is sharing my medical history so important during a general consultation?
Your medical history is the foundation of your care. It provides crucial context for your NP to understand your current health and potential risks. Past illnesses, surgeries, chronic conditions, medications (including over-the-counter and supplements), allergies, and family history all contribute to a complete picture of your health. Even seemingly small details can be relevant, so be prepared to share as much information as possible.
How can I best prepare for my general consultation?
Preparation is key for a productive consultation. Gather your medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries, chronic conditions, and medications. Make a list of all medications and supplements you take, including dosages. Also, prepare a list of questions you have for your NP. Thinking about your health goals beforehand can also be beneficial.