Stay in Touch
Get sneak previews of special offers & upcoming events delivered to your inbox.
Sign in
02-08-2015 10:54 AM
On 2/8/2015 ciao_bella said:Nothing against physician assistants..they are certified in their field of PA, however, they are NOT medical doctors. If they were, they would have an MD behind their name. If you're paying to see a doctor..it should be your choice to see a doctor. JMHO
You have no idea how the medical field works. Guess what? Doctors don't make 'house-calls' anymore, either.
02-08-2015 10:56 AM
On 2/8/2015 ciao_bella said:Nothing against physician assistants..they are certified in their field of PA, however, they are NOT medical doctors. If they were, they would have an MD behind their name. If you're paying to see a doctor..it should be your choice to see a doctor. JMHO
PAs are trained in medical schools, not in nursing schools (nothing against nurses, BTW, it is just a different field entirely).
Knowing all the training they have, I prefer to be seen by the PA, who can give me more time.
My cousin, the PA, TAUGHT at our local medical school. She is a well known expert on STDs...and she trains and evaluates medical school students!!!
02-08-2015 10:56 AM
02-08-2015 11:01 AM
My cardiac surgeon has 6 PA's working with him in and out of the operating room. A PA actually removed the leg vein used for the by-pass. I saw the surgeon twice during a 6-day stay but his assistants visited every day, answered questions and took copious notes.
Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners can often spend more time with patients, answering questions and translating Medicalese into plain English and getting to know you.
The changes in insurance have dictated many of the changes in practice, including the amount of time a doctor spends per patient.
02-08-2015 11:02 AM
On 2/8/2015 ciao_bella said:Nothing against physician assistants..they are certified in their field of PA, however, they are NOT medical doctors. If they were, they would have an MD behind their name. If you're paying to see a doctor..it should be your choice to see a doctor. JMHO
really? good luck making appointments and telling the clerks you only want to see a doctor for your follow up appointment, You may have to wait 6 months for that since most MD's see the new patients while fellows, residents, PA's and NP's see the follow ups.
It seems many people do not understand how medicine works these days, at least not in large clinical practices. I do seem to remember there is one old doctor in my neighborhood that still maintains a walk in practice and sees all her patients. But I wouldn't go see her. She has no other professional colleagues around to help or collaborate with on difficult cases. And of course, you can wait all day to see her if someone comes in and is found to have something like an irregular heartbeat and needs emergency care tsking up even more of her time.
I remember quite well how many MD's went to their colleagues to discuss difficult cases during their clinics or in the weekly conferences which BTW PA's attended and learned from. In many hospitals, PA's do the rounds on the floor daily and report back to the attendings.
02-08-2015 11:45 AM
In addition to PAs, you may also be receiving care from CRNAs and SAs. Last week I had a little surgery and although a MD examined me and was in charge over all anesthesia in the ambulatory surgery setting, my actual service was done by a CRNA. I think my surgeon also had a First Assistant close me up. I will see on the bill eventually.
These are also very highly skilled individuals who do nice work in routine situations. And lets face it, a lot of our concerns are routine not complex. All of these folks know enough to refer us on if need be.
02-08-2015 11:50 AM
I think you need to be informed and agree.
I do usually accept my doctors' PA's, but I might well not in some circumstances.
02-08-2015 11:52 AM
Welcome to the wonderful new world of medicine Washington brought to us! Be happy and don't worry!
02-08-2015 11:54 AM
I usually see my PAalways,until something serious enters.He is well informed and takes his time with me.You are over reacting.
02-08-2015 11:57 AM
On 2/8/2015 Sooner said:Welcome to the wonderful new world of medicine Washington brought to us! Be happy and don't worry!
If this is a crack at Ocare- you're wrong. PA's definitely predate it. I personally know 4 PA's who were working fulltime long before the newest healthcare act.
Lots of PA's are women who truly want that position between nurse and doctor - for many reasons, but often because of the traditional reasons women choose not to be on the fastest-highest career track there is.
As I said in a previous post - my experience with my own doctors' PA's has been excellent, BUT in both offices that use them I'm always informed when I make the apt that it will be the PA.
Get sneak previews of special offers & upcoming events delivered to your inbox.
*You're signing up to receive QVC promotional email.
Find recent orders, do a return or exchange, create a Wish List & more.
Privacy StatementGeneral Terms of Use
QVC is not responsible for the availability, content, security, policies, or practices of the above referenced third-party linked sites nor liable for statements, claims, opinions, or representations contained therein. QVC's Privacy Statement does not apply to these third-party web sites.
© 1995-2024 QVC, Inc. All rights reserved. | QVC, Q and the Q logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc. 888-345-5788