emedpa

[cecilia]

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Hi,

question for you: I heard from one of my instructors (he is a surgical PA) that PA's are not allowed to eat in the cafeteria with the MD's. I think he even said that other hospital employees are allowed...just not PA's. In his case, he is an exception because he is also faculty and they are allowed in. Is this true in all hospitals?
How can this ridiculous policy be changed? ( and there is only one cafeteria)

 

[deleted6669]

he's got to be pulling your leg, that's just silly.I have never heard of anything like this. if it is true, I wouldn't work there...

 

[MrBob]

That's horse petoooie.................ask him who he's trying to bulls&*t............Cheeze.............Sounds like he's either having a lot of fun at your expence or thinks a lot of himself............


Eat where you want................

 

[PACtoDOC]

At the hospital where I used to work and have priviledges, there was an unmarked room off the main hall that was the medical staff lounge. It had a daily free buffet and the typical large screen TV running C-SPAN (has anyone ever seen a doctor's lounge not running C-SPAN???). I have to admit that I always felt a little self conscious as a PA infiltrating there but no one ever made me feel like I shouldn't be there. The fact is, hospitals make tons of money off PA's and physicians both, and is it really in their best interest to restrict access to some cheesy food? I think not. There may have been some docs in there who didn't want me there, but they never said anything. And as a local FP PA, they didn't say anything because they knew their referrals would go through the floor (the specialists that is). A smart specialist embraces local PA's who send them business. And as a side note, it is always important as a primary care PA to fill out and sign many of your important referrals so that the doc definitely knows they came from you!! This earns many a turkey at Christmas, and lets them know that you are caring enough to actually give some history and PE info to go along with a referral. I once got a call from a pathologist at Smithkline Lab thanking me personally for actually giving detailed patient history info with the biopsy specimen I had sent. Those guys get sick and tired of specimens that give nothing other than a DOB, if that!! So the moral of the story is work hard, and go the extra mile as a PA. You will do a great service for yourself and the PA community, because trust me, most docs are inherently lazy and complacent with these minor details. This is where PA's have the chance to shine.

 

[cecilia]

Ok, so I asked him again to make sure....
this is the clarification: There is the DOCTOR cafeteria (where only they can have luch at) and there is the EVERYONE ELSE cafeteria (where everyone but doctors eat there including the patients).
This probably makes a bit more sense...but I still do not agree with it.
He agrees with this policy because he says that doctors have so much more knowledge than PA's.... I do not think that knowledge should have to do anything with where one eats. They are human, they eat and poop just like everyone else.
Anyway, anybody want to explain to me why I am wrong?

 

[MrBob]

It's got nothing to do with knowledge (makes one wonder about your mentor there)...it's got to do with privilidge (did I spell that right?) some medical centers and hospitals coddle their medical staff by allowing them the right to sit somewhere above the "others". think it gives them a place to relax and possibley discuss cases and "curb-side consult" without unnecessary ears listening in......

 

[CVPA]

In my experience, physician lunchrooms have just been another part of the "good ole boys" club. I have partaken in it without noted prejudice. One can usually feel the obvious separation when eating lunch, however, I never let it bother me much. I would usually just sit with the docs I knew and were friendly with. Fortunately, I have never had anyone object to my presence. It would probably have gotten ugly if someone did. I don't have much tolerance for elitist mentality.

The hospital where I am employed currently does not have a medical staff lunchroom and in fact charges all employees and docs the same price for food as visitors. Pretty unusual.