Do you think she could be a good doctor?

G

GP44

Member
When my L4 vertebra fractured I went to the office of my wife’s back Doctor.
Instead of seeing her doctor I saw a PA.
Physicians Assistant.
She set me up for a back brace and tests like MRI.
I think she ordered the right course of action for the L4 problem.
Just so happens that when it was time for my regular visit I was having a very painful spot just down from my right shoulder blade.
This Doctor seemed to ignore what I told her and just ordered another MRI so that she can see if there is any change to the L4.
When I found out that the MRI didn’t cover the latest area where I have a problem I called her office and had the order changed to include it.
What bothers me is that I have a back doctor who never physically looks at my back.
I would think that if a patient says he has a painful tender spot on his back that the first thing a doctor would want to do is look at that area and maybe feel for a lump or knotted area.
Am I wrong to feel that I have a back doctor who doesn’t like looking at people’s backs?
 
GP44 said:
When my L4 vertebra fractured I went to the office of my wife’s back Doctor.
Instead of seeing her doctor I saw a PA.
Physicians Assistant.
She set me up for a back brace and tests like MRI.
I think she ordered the right course of action for the L4 problem.
Just so happens that when it was time for my regular visit I was having a very painful spot just down from my right shoulder blade.
This Doctor seemed to ignore what I told her and just ordered another MRI so that she can see if there is any change to the L4.
When I found out that the MRI didn’t cover the latest area where I have a problem I called her office and had the order changed to include it.
What bothers me is that I have a back doctor who never physically looks at my back.
I would think that if a patient says he has a painful tender spot on his back that the first thing a doctor would want to do is look at that area and maybe feel for a lump or knotted area.
Am I wrong to feel that I have a back doctor who doesn’t like looking at people’s backs?
Click to expand...
I believe a doctor should examine exactly where you claim the pain is. It very well could be nerve pain radiating from your spine area but so what, you start where it hurts and go from there.
 
A PA is almost a DR---it's just a step lower. Before you allow any tests, have a chat with the PA and make sure she is completely aware of your needs.

The PA is there to allow the DR to see other patients during the same time you are there. At some point they will go over your tests and decide on a course of treatment.

Good luck.
 
GP44 said:
I would think that if a patient says he has a painful tender spot on his back that the first thing a doctor would want to do is look at that area and maybe feel for a lump or knotted area.
Am I wrong to feel that I have a back doctor who doesn’t like looking at people’s backs?
Click to expand...
I agree.
Even if they look or feel of the area, they will probably order tests, but it's a starting point.
As to the preceding part of your post, some people tell me the same thing - they are more often seen by a PA than the doctor. I've been seeing the same doctor for at least 12 years and when I have a doctor appointment, I see the doctor, not a PA.
 
It seems like too many doctors these days don't do anything but prescribe tests and then look at the test results to determine if there's anything obviously wrong. If there's not, then they prescribe more tests. It's all just a frickin' scam to benefit the medical testing industrial complex.

Although I have good insurance, I had to shell out several thousands of dollars last year for tests prescribed by my doctor. Whatever happened to insurance that covered everything like we had back in the '80s?

Profits are the number one priority in the medical industries. These testing facilities are making billions in profits with a 30% profit margin for many of them. It's all about making money rather than making people healthier.
 
This is my big beef with the medical profession today.

Everything is based up statistics. They don't want the doctor to do anything but follow the prescribed regiment.

When Covid was rampant, a doctor was fired from working at a hospital for taking the initiative of prescribing a medicine of her own choosing to treat it.

Years later, the medicine she prescribed was approved for treating Covid.

I only encountered a PA once and I was not impressed. She failed to diagnose (by Xray) my sister's broken pelvis because she didn't order enough angle shots to be taken to be able to see the crack in the pelvis. They sent her home and by the end of the week she couldn't get around because of the pain. So I took her to a different hospital where they found the crack in her pelvis. That was an actual doctor who did that
 
GP44 said:
When I found out that the MRI didn’t cover the latest area where I have a problem I called her office and had the order changed to include it.
What bothers me is that I have a back doctor who never physically looks at my back.
I would think that if a patient says he has a painful tender spot on his back that the first thing a doctor would want to do is look at that area and maybe feel for a lump or knotted area.
Am I wrong to feel that I have a back doctor who doesn’t like looking at people’s backs?
Click to expand...
I agree your PA seems to ignore your concern, not look at your painful spot.
In my personal experience, PA does only one thing, ... not two problems at the same time. Even the doctor covers only one problem to see it. If you'd like to get to diagnose along treatment, you may need another appointment.
A change of medication is same thing, I needed to make a trip twice to get new medication. The doctor would like to see a new rx works without any adverse effects.
 
Right now I am seen by a doctor but he is a piss poor one. Listens half heartedly, and mumbles with his head down when he talks. Has never addressed my problem. All the doctors in this group are like that. Nobody else to go to. Central NYS needs a good group as all the medical personel are sub quality.
 
(c/p)

How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor?​

The training to become an MD typically takes a minimum of 11 to 15 years after high school, factoring in undergraduate studies, medical school, and residency training. This extensive commitment reflects the depth and breadth of knowledge and skills required to practice medicine. The journey begins the moment you step onto a college campus or enroll in your first community college class. These four years need to be about more than just checking boxes. You need to lay the academic, personal, and professional groundwork for your future in medicine.



Around 2 to 3 years
The training to become a physician assistant typically takes around 2 to 3 years. You'll need to complete a bachelor's degree, gain healthcare experience, and then enroll in a physician assistant master's program. Most PA programs are approximately 27 months long and award master's degrees.
 
It is strange. I can only write of the situation in my former country Germany. There always a doctor looks at the patient, even if only for some minutes. There are no PAs.

BUT, I've had some physicians who behaved so badly (always male!) that I could have thrown them against the wall. The problem is that I every time felt so sick in such situations that I couldn't act this way.
 
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