My Visit To The Doctor Yesterday & Physician's Assistant

L

Lon

Well-known Member
Location
Central California
My Primary Care Doctor is on vacation and I met with his PA (Physician's Assistant) I have read and heard about them but this was my first contact and I was super impressed with her manner and knowledge of my medical history. In many respects I liked her better than her boss. Did you know that PA's can write prescriptions?
 

Yes, I did. I've dealt with only two PAs but I liked them both very much. They seemed to have more time and listen better and explain better than even my favorite doctors.
 
I have visited with PA's several times. I have not had any issues. I know some folks do not want to deal with them because they are not "real" doctors. But they are just as professional.
 

I find PAs more responsive to my questions and concerns than most MDs. Yes, I knew they can write prescriptions and also order tests, etc. I like my PA better than my doctor and would rather see her (the PA).
 
Not every ailment of the human body requires 12 years of advanced study. You've seen one, you've seen 'em all. There is such a thing as a routine ailment, which a PA is quite capable of treating.
I, too, prefer PA over a doctor. I feel most group medical practices are run like assembly lines.
 
When I think I have a ailment, I see Dr. Google. Inexperienced doctors use him too. I like him so much, I invested in his stock.
 
Many PA's start out as nurses, who have seen the doctors superior attitudes and inferior bed side manners along the way and refuse to emulate them. I have always preferred them over Doctors.
 
Been seeing a Family Nurse Practitioner(FNP same as PA, I think) for many years. Much prefer her over seeing a doctor. She knows about nutrition and alternative healing therapies. Doctors know how to prescribe meds and recommend surgeries. Most of them have been bought by Big Pharma to push their drugs. Too bad she has just retired.
 
I saw my doc today for about 6 minutes. That's it. Now I am looking for another doctor,
one who will spend time with me and not brush me off. Later, I had a question for him
and even though he was standing at the counter, he was too busy looking at another patient's
chart and did not answer me. He annoys me.
 
I've had visits with a couple of PAs, these two were extremely cordial, and seemed interested in resolving my issue(s).

These PAs acted like they were tryin'-to-make-it, whereas it seems some doctors act like they-got-it-made, and don't have to excel or care anymore.
 
I'm the oddball here. I still prefer seeing my doctor. It's not a trust issue, just a comfort and peace of mind issue. A few years back, I was diagnosed with having an enlarged prostate. I scheduled a visit with my Urologist for a follow-up, but when I got there, I was going to be seen by a female PA. I declined to have her check me, even though she kidded me by telling me that her fingers were much smaller than my doctor's. I told her very calmly that I would still rather see the doctor. When he came into the room, I could tell that he was somewhat put out that I wouldn't allow the female PA to check my prostate. So, I made life easier for both of us and changed Urologists.

Like they say, "Life is all about having choices."
 
oldman said:
I'm the oddball here. I still prefer seeing my doctor. It's not a trust issue, just a comfort and peace of mind issue. A few years back, I was diagnosed with having an enlarged prostate. I scheduled a visit with my Urologist for a follow-up, but when I got there, I was going to be seen by a female PA. I declined to have her check me, even though she kidded me by telling me that her fingers were much smaller than my doctor's. I told her very calmly that I would still rather see the doctor. When he came into the room, I could tell that he was somewhat put out that I wouldn't allow the female PA to check my prostate. So, I made life easier for both of us and changed Urologists.

Like they say, "Life is all about having choices."
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That wouldn't have bothered me in the least.

I'll take a chick over a dude to check my prostate any time.
 
Trade said:
That wouldn't have bothered me in the least.

I'll take a chick over a dude to check my prostate any time.
Click to expand...

Whether the PA was a male or female was not my point. I just prefer seeing the doctor. I chose him as my Urologist some 12 years ago because of his reputation in our area. At that time, I had a small kidney stone and wanted rid of it. But then, a few years back, he took on a PA. I prefer seeing the doctor whatever the gender.

My Rheumatologist is a female and a very good one. She is with a group of doctors and they also have one or two PA's. I always ask to see the doctor when I go there for a visit.
 
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Recently saw a PA staple somebody up in an ER. My first trip to the ortho was a PA. It wasn't until the second visit I got a doc-planned escalation. A GP is now using what they call a nurse advocate for his existing patients where you can call to ask the nurse a bunch of questions before the doc even gets involved in the issue at no charge.

That's what these urgent care facilities are frequently staffed with as well. There is projected GP shortage to kick in the next 10 years. No matter the legislation this is the future of health care in the US.
 
I think it's a great idea. There are an awful lot of things you don't really need a real MD to do, and I like the PAs. They seem to be more interested than the MDs do. My ortho surgeon has a great PA, who takes history, orders x-rays and tests, takes out surgical staples, etc. It frees the surgeon up to do what he's really needed to do. When I was in hospital after my hip surgeries, the surgeon came around twice a day and so did the PA, but not together. My surgeon was very big on keeping a good post surgical eye on his patients and being sure they got the care and meds he had ordered. And according to the nurses on the floor, woe betide any nurse who was late with a patient's meds, or something like that. I got excellent care. I'm sure his system with his PA is one of the reasons he's considered a top surgeon here and he can care for a lot of patients.
 
Think of it this way. When a doctor spends time with you, that means you're sick.
 

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