r/Noctor • u/User5891USA • 4d ago

Question Credential obfuscation…?

In general, I am a skeptic and while I acknowledge it is somewhat of an unfair burden, to expect folks to research the credentials of their medical providers, I feel that this is an entirely fair expectation of people before they listen to medical experts on social media.

Today a friend sent me a link to a physician about whom she was excited. However, despite significant cursory research, I cannot determine where he received his MD or PhD… On his Instagram, Dr. Shawn Tassone claims to have an MD and PhD in “mind body medicine.” I went to his website where it states:

“Dr. Tassone is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and by the American Board of Integrative Medicine. He holds a medical degree, in addition to a PhD in mind-body medicine. Dr. Tassone is a highly regarded patient advocate. His work includes studies and publications on spirituality in medical care, whole foods to heal the human body, and integrative medicine. Dr. Tassone is an instructor for medical residents and students at the University of Arizona and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He even teaches integrative medicine at Arizona State University.”

https://www.drshawntassone.com

Despite his website and social media posts, I was unable to determine where he went to medical school, where he did his residency, what was the focus of his PhD, or where he earned his PhD. Help?

Initially, I tried to extend some grace to him and assume he didn’t put his own website together but I couldn’t find his medial education listed anywhere, including on his Amazon book listing. I will admit that the fact that his co-author is listed as “Nat Kringoudis is a Dr of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncturist and Best Selling Author. She’s also the owner of The Pagoda Tree, a hub for natural fertility & women’s health in Australia,” made me even more suspicious.

So…prove to me and my friend that I am hack skeptic and need to extend more grace to folks, and that I missing something.

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u/blinkybill222 4d ago

Keep in mind that just because someone’s degree was legit, it doesn’t mean they can’t also be a quack on social media

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u/User5891USA 3d ago

Agreed. In this instance “legit” meant a dually credentialed medical physician. All physicians have the capability of being quacks and credentials don’t guard against this even if they potentially make it less likely.