The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) clinician directory provides information on the Internet about our medical staff. Use the directory to learn pertinent information about primary physicians in Northern California. We update the directory regularly and make every effort to provide accurate information. It is possible, however, that recent changes are not yet reflected in the directory.

If you’re looking for information about primary care physicians in Northern California, the PAMF clinician directory is the place to find it. We work hard to connect you with the pertinent information you need to find a doctor for you and your family.

Below is a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the PAMF clinician directory.

• How often is the status of a physician’s availability to new patients updated?
• Who is listed in the directory?
• Is a physician's HMO plan number included in the directory?
• Do you list additional languages spoken?
• Dictionary of medical titles
• Terms used in the clinician directory

How often is the status of a physician’s availability to new patients updated?

Once a month we update information about a physician’s availability to new patients for all PAMF primary care physicians (PCPs). This information applies to PCPs and not to specialists because many insurance plans require that patients select a PCP. A PCP will close his or her practice to new patients when that practice becomes full, and will reopen the practice when spaces become available. Some PCPs are open only to certain types of new patients, such as newborns or siblings of existing patients. This information, if applicable, in included in the directory.
Back to top

Who is listed in the directory?

The PAMF clinician directory lists permanent medical staff members; information is included about primary care physicians in Northern California and other providers such as social workers and optometrists. PAMF also employs a number of temporary physicians for short-term coverage. These physicians are not listed in the directory.

Below is a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the PAMF clinician directory. This list may also answer some of the questions you have about the primary care physicians in Northern California who are listed in the directory.

Back to top

Is a physician's HMO plan number included in the directory?

No. Each health plan that contracts with PAMF assigns an individual identification number to a physician that is unique to that plan. These numbers often change and are not common across plans. It is impossible for PAMF to track every number for each health plan and therefore we do not include this information in our directory. You should contact your health plan if you are having problems finding a physician’s plan number. Many health plan Web sites now have search features for looking up a physician identification number.
Back to top

Do you list additional languages spoken?

Yes. In the directory you may search for a clinician by language. A physician’s fluency in a language is noted in his/her profile. Terms used are:

• Medical -- knows enough of the language to communicate basic diagnostic and treatment terms to a patient


• Basic -- can carry on a simple conversation in discussing a patient's medical care


• Fluent -- is completely comfortable with and able to use the language

Back to top

Dictionary of medical titles

There are many medical titles listed in the directory. Some are common, while others are not seen often and may relate to individual sub-specialties. Here is a list of titles you might see in our directory:

B.C.-ADM -- Board Certified, American Diabetic Association: Advanced Management of Diabetes Care and Education as a part of disease clinical management

CCC-A -- Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology

CDE -- Certified Diabetes Educator

CFNP -- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

CPM -- Certified Professional Midwife

D.O. -- Doctor of Osteopathy

DPM -- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. A podiatrist is a physician who specializes in the medical care and treatment of the foot.

Ed.D. -- Doctorate of Education

FAAP -- Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics

FACC -- Fellow, American College of Cardiology

FACOG -- Fellow, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

FCCP -- Fellow, American College of Chest Physicians

IBCLC -- International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

LCSW -- Licensed Clinical Social Worker

M.A. -- Medical Assistant: Medical assistants perform basic clinical and administrative functions such as height and weight measurements and blood pressure checks. They are distinct from physician assistants, who examine, diagnose and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.

M.D. -- Medical Doctor

MFT -- Marriage and Family Therapist

MPH -- Master of Public Health. A master’s degree in Public Health is a professional degree designed to provide health care and other professionals with an understanding of the public health sciences, knowledge and skills that can be used in health care management, population-based research and the community practice of public health.

M.S. -- Master of Science

MSW -- Master of Social Work

N.P. -- Nurse Practitioner. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has obtained a master's degree in a nursing field and has obtained additional clinical training.

O.D. -- Doctor of Optometry. An optometrist can examine, diagnose and treat the eyes and correct vision problems using lenses and other optical aids.

P.A. and P.A.-C. -- Physician Assistant and Physician Assistant-Certified. A physician assistant is a licensed health professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. A P.A. provides a broad range of health care services including diagnosis and treatment of illness. A P.A.-C. has met the defined course of study for physician assistants and has passed a certification exam of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Ph.D. -- Doctor of Philosophy

R.D. -- Registered Dietitian. An R.D. is a health care professional educated in nutrition and foods who is able to translate scientific information into appropriate food choices. Specific education and training prepare registered dietitians to provide medical nutrition therapy when prescribed by a physician; they are also trained to provide nutrition counseling to promote optimal health.

R.N. -- Registered Nurse. To become a registered nurse (R.N.), an individual can complete a diploma program offered by a hospital nursing school, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) at a community college, or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) at a college or university. Graduates of any of the programs must pass a state licensing exam before they are qualified for a staff position as a registered nurse.

RNC -- Registered Nurse – Certified


Back to top

Terms used in the clinician directory

Board Certified

A board-certified physician has completed an approved educational training program and an evaluation process including an examination designed to assess the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to provide quality patient care in a particular area of medicine.

Training

Usually refers to a period of postgraduate medical education during which a physician gains the experience necessary to assume responsibility for the care of patients.

Internship

The first year of training after medical school is sometimes called an internship. It is also referred to as the first year of residency or PGY-1 (Post-Graduate Year-1). There are many different residency programs, but generally the first year of residency (internship or PGY-1) is spent either rotating through different specialties or rotating to different areas within one specialty.

Residency

A period of advanced medical training and education that normally follows graduation from medical school and licensing to practice medicine. It consists of supervised practice of a specialty in hospital and outpatient settings and instruction from specialists on the hospital and clinic staff.

Fellowship

A period of training that occurs after completion of a residency program. Its goal is to provide advanced training in a sub-specialty field of medicine. Not all physicians will complete a fellowship.

Back to top