Would you feel safe with a PA as your PCP?

[FlatIsJustice]

I'm asking PURELY because I'm switching PCPs and have the option of either a PA who can see me in a week or a DO that I have to wait over a month to see.

I'm healthy now, but my concern is a PA might miss something subtle which might lead to late diagnosis of some illness I develop in the future.

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO STIR UP ANY MD VS DO VS PA DEBATE. Answer purely from your personal perspective. Would you personally trust a PA with your health?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Goro]

For what it's worth, I had a NP as my doctor for years. Wonderful lady.

 

[DrBowtie]

For what it's worth, I had a NP as my physician for years. Wonderful lady.

Your wording frustrates me. It's clear the nursing lobby has won.

 

[Goro]

My personal health provider...

My clinician...

Your wording frustrates me.

 

[DrBowtie]

My personal health provider...

My clinician...

The fact that an educated person such as yourself who works in medical education used the terms interchangeably tells me everything.

 

[Goro]

Don't take it personally.

And don't be threatened by midlevels either.

The fact that an educated person such as yourself who works in medical education used the terms interchangeably tells me everything.

 

[alpinism]

Would you want a nursing assistant as your nurse?

 

[DrBowtie]

Don't take it personally.

And don't be threatened by midlevels either.

I don't take it personally since title erosion has been going on for awhile. I'm sure your colleagues would be equally as annoyed if everyone referred to you as Instructor or better yet TA. Respect the physician title your students are earning.

 

[DrBowtie]

I'm asking PURELY because I'm switching PCPs and have the option of either a PA who can see me in a week or a DO that I have to wait over a month to see.

I'm healthy now, but my concern is a PA might miss something subtle which might lead to late diagnosis of some illness I develop in the future.

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO STIR UP ANY MD VS DO VS PA DEBATE. Answer purely from your personal perspective. Would you personally trust a PA with your health?

It probably doesn't matter if you are healthy and just going in for a yearly physical. There isn't much value added there.

 

[Psai]

For what it's worth, I had a NP as my physician for years. Wonderful lady.

I mean I know that the nurses picked the letters N and P to look as similar as MD as possible but really dude?

 

[DokterMom]

If you're young and healthy and have no reason to suspect anything nefarious, why not? But if I find a lump -- then I want an MD.

 

[Goro]

Perhaps the Oxford English Dictionary needs to be notified?

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/doctor

I mean I know that the nurses picked the letters N and P to look as similar as MD as possible but really dude?

 

[DrBowtie]

Perhaps the Oxford English Dictionary needs to be notified?

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/doctor

Perhaps instead of getting snarky, you could just say you made a mistake and move on. Besides you used physician, not Doctor which have different meanings. Your NP could have been a DNP, but they aren't a physician.

 

[Goro]

It's OK. There have been times where it's been

Them: "So is that all, Mr Goro?
Me: [thinking][ "That's Dr Goro to you"

It will be OK, really.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled SDN thread.

Perhaps instead of getting snarky, you could just say you made a mistake and move on. Besides you used physician, not Doctor which have different meanings. Your NP could have been a DNP, but they aren't a physician.

 

[Azete]

I see a PA for ~90% of my care, but usually because the reason I'm going is already obvious -- as are most PC visits. It's cheaper for the same result. If I'm experiencing something I haven't experienced before, or I need some manipulation because med school ruined my posture (I see a DO), then I ask to see the physician.

 

[atomheart]

If you don't feel comfortable you should find someone else.

I told my wife not to let anyone but an anesthesiologist touch her for her epidural. Lo' and behold, two CRNAs were sent to manage her during labor. When the epidural was later unknowingly dislodged and she started feeling pain, the CRNAs just scratched their heads and kept pushing drug, even with the obvious pooling along her back. The anesthesiologist who we were handed off to later for c-section was fuming. There will not be another mlp touching any member of my family.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

 

[WheezyBaby]

It's OK. There have been times where it's been

Them: "So is that all, Mr Goro?
Me: [thinking][ "That's Dr Goro to you"

It will be OK, really.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled SDN thread.

I'm not sure I'd call being concerned about a title and being concerned about a systematic encroachment of practice and obfuscation of provider training quite the same. When you have a major organization of masters level educators / researchers attempting to demonstrate that they're equal / better to doctoral level educators / researchers in those roles and they've made significant headway nationally in that regard, draw the parallel. Maybe let them toss in that the doctoral argument against them is just a money issue

 

[Goro]

True that.

I'm not sure I'd call being concerned about a title and being concerned about a systematic encroachment of practice and obfuscation of provider training quite the same. When you have a major organization of masters level educators / researchers attempting to demonstrate that they're equal / better to doctoral level educators / researchers in those roles and they've made significant headway nationally in that regard, draw the parallel

 

[Psai]

Perhaps the Oxford English Dictionary needs to be notified?

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/doctor

Original post didn't have anything about doctors
you said np then physician

perhaps an ophthalmologist needs to be notified?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ophthalmologist

 

[Goro]

Edited. Feel better?

Original post didn't have anything about doctors
you said np then physician

perhaps an ophthalmologist needs to be notified?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ophthalmologist

 

[Amazonian Lily]

It's OK. There have been times where it's been

Them: "So is that all, Mr Goro?
Me: [thinking][ "That's Dr Goro to you"

It will be OK, really.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled SDN thread.

This comparison makes no sense. If you are a male, then calling you "Mr" is not factually incorrect, and is probably the title most people, who are not so insecure, prefer to go by in social situations/outside work. An NP is not a physician, so calling them that IS factually incorrect. In the future, you should try admitting you made a mistake when it is first pointed out and move on.

 

[Goro]

Ok, mistakes were made. Mea culpa.

Feel better?

This comparison makes no sense. If you are a male, then calling you "Mr" is not factually incorrect, and is probably the title most people, who are not so insecure, prefer to go by in social situations/outside work. An NP is not a physician, so calling them that IS factually incorrect. In the future, you should try admitting you made a mistake when it is first pointed out and move on.

 

[ortnakas]

I'm young and healthy, so sure, no problem.

If I had something that needed to be diagnosed, or was pregnant, or had a chronic medical condition, I'd want to be seen by their supervising physician.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Derailing this track further, if you're (relatively) young and healthy, why do you need to see anyone at all?

Not that I'm against primary care -- nothing could be further from the truth. But the value of physicals for patients who are young and healthy is probably zero. If you have chronic health issues, then you need someone to manage them.

 

[Darth Doc]

I'm asking PURELY because I'm switching PCPs and have the option of either a PA who can see me in a week or a DO that I have to wait over a month to see.

If they are in the same practice, you can always switch over to the DO at a later date or if you have a specific concern can request the DO. Depending on the state and the supervising physician, the DO should be reviewing the midlevel's charts.

I take my family to see the next available provider whether PA or MD for routine visits or simple illnesses I know the diagnoses for (UTI, URI, possible strep throat). If it's something else (that minute clinic wouldn't treat), I schedule with a MD every time.

However, you should never see a provider you aren't comfortable seeing. You'll always be second-guessing everything they say.

 

[Azete]

Derailing this track further, if you're (relatively) young and healthy, why do you need to see anyone at all?

Not that I'm against primary care -- nothing could be further from the truth. But the value of physicals for patients who are young and healthy is probably zero. If you have chronic health issues, then you need someone to manage them.

I think it's important to get labs at least every couple years or so, chances are it won't ever reveal anything but it's a relatively cheap form of preventive care.

I also can't write myself antibiotics. Had rheumatic fever when I was 8 because my parents decided to let me "ride out" strep, so naturally I don't ever want to experience that again.

 

[astrostellar]

My childhood PCP was a NP and she was amazing, and my current PCPs in the military are PAs. One is a completely incompetent *****, and one is better than most doctors I've had.

 

[67552931811]

PCP = primary care PHYSICIAN.

It's incredible how many intelligent people have been brain washed by the "provider" label. And we wonder how the lay gets confused. Holy ****.

So to answer your ******ed question: no I wouldn't feel comfortable with a np or pa as my primary care physician because they aren't one

 

[vendtex]

PCP = primary care PHYSICIAN.

It's incredible how many intelligent people have been brain washed by the "provider" label. And we wonder how the lay gets confused. Holy ****.

So to answer your ******ed question: no I wouldn't feel comfortable with a np or pa as my primary care physician because they aren't one

Primary care provider also = PCP FWIW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cbrons]

and one is better than most doctors I've had.

I love when people say this.

Mid-level X is better/smarter than most MDs.

Usually said by people with no basis or qualification by which to make this judgement.

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

 

[DrBowtie]

I love when people say this.

Mid-level X is better/smarter than most MDs.

Usually said by people with no basis or qualification by which to make this judgement.

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

Usually based on feels.

 

[parnemt]

Can we all just agree that MD>DO>PA so we can get back to seeing patients.

 

[MehDO]

Can we all just agree that MD>DO>PA so we can get back to seeing patients.

I understand that when applying to medical school, MD > DO, but in the clinical setting, how is that true? Clinical medicine has a lot more depth and breadth than the whole MD vs DO argument.

smh...

 

[67552931811]

Primary care provider also = PCP FWIW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's not what PCP actually means. Try to keep up.

 

[parnemt]

I understand that when applying to medical school, MD > DO, but in the clinical setting, how is that true? Clinical medicine has a lot more depth and breadth than the whole MD vs DO argument.

smh...

I couldn't agree more but in an effort to put this dead horse to bed, will you please go along with me?

 

[vendtex]

That's not what PCP actually means. Try to keep up.

You are wrong about that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[67552931811]

You are wrong about that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can't tell if you are purposely being naive. Or if you are truly that obtuse.

 

[vendtex]

I can't tell if you are purposely being naive. Or if you are truly that obtuse. Either way. Enjoy the next few decades. I'm sure you'll make a wonderful employee of the suits.

It is used in both ways.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vendtex]

I can't tell if you are purposely being naive. Or if you are truly that obtuse.

Excuse my naiveté but what exactly do you mean by an "employee of the suits?"

 

[TaroBubbleTea]

I'd want an MD or DO only.

I would feel uncomfortable with a mid level because in the back of my mind, I know I will always be second guessing their medical decision making. Personally, I'd rather avoid that uncomfortable situation altogether.

 

[vendtex]

I'd want an MD or DO only.

I would feel uncomfortable with a mid level because in the back of my mind, I know I will always be second guessing their medical decision making. Personally, I'd rather avoid that uncomfortable situation altogether.

After you've finished residency you may find yourself doing the same to MDs or DOs

 

[NimbleNavigator]

I don't understand why the Pro-NP people are basically saying, "If I think it might be actually serious, then I want to see an MD. If not, an NP will do."

Don't you think that part of the reason why you go to a physician is because you are not qualified to determine what's serious and what's not so serious?

Also, I think that physicians would do well to refer to "nurse practitioners" and the like simply as advanced nurses. That's what they are.

 

[vendtex]

One of the things you learn in MS and residency is that the history is overwhelmingly important in making a diagnosis. If your knowledge of pathology is limited then your differential diagnostic ability is also limited. Midlevels, particularly PAs often have limited knowledge of pathology. As a result it is less likely they would recognize when a "cold" is not a "cold." Having said that though the reality is that most of the time a "cold" is a "cold" so there is a role for midlevels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cabergoline2]

would you feel safe with al baghdadi as your baby sitter ?

 

[Microshaft]

would you feel safe with al baghdadi as your baby sitter ?

i see what u did there

 

[parnemt]

One of the things you learn in MS and residency is that the history is overwhelmingly important in making a diagnosis. If your knowledge of pathology is limited then your differential diagnostic ability is also limited. Midlevels, particularly PAs often have limited knowledge of pathology. As a result it is less likely they would recognize when a "cold" is not a "cold." Having said that though the reality is that most of the time a "cold" is a "cold" so there is a role for midlevels.

I challenge you to take a PANCE practice test.

 

[W19]

PA... yes

NP.... Nooooooooooo!

 

[W19]

One of the things you learn in MS and residency is that the history is overwhelmingly important in making a diagnosis. If your knowledge of pathology is limited then your differential diagnostic ability is also limited. Midlevels, particularly PAs often have limited knowledge of pathology. As a result it is less likely they would recognize when a "cold" is not a "cold." Having said that though the reality is that most of the time a "cold" is a "cold" so there is a role for midlevels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Their knowledge of path is much more vast than NP...but I got your overall point.

 

[vendtex]

Their knowledge of path is much more vast than NP...but I got your overall point.

I haven't seen that except perhaps in the military trained PAs but it may vary by program idk. A lot of MDs don't use that knowledge either FWIW.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Azete]

The focus really shouldn't be on the training differences, but rather how much of those differences are actually translated into practice. I imagine there wouldn't be much discernible difference between a PA with 20 years of experience in a particular specialty versus an MD with 20 years of experience in the same specialty.