[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Then listen to people in the system. They are saying they only get to see a P.A. This is not the Marcus Welby model that was sold to the public. We were told the doctors would have 20 minites or more to spend with their patients. Now they have zero time to spend with you - instead, they give you a P.A.

I'm in the system and I've been a patient at both Colony and Pinellas, and none of what is stated here is consistent with my experiences with the many appointments I've had. If I want an appointment with the doctor, I get scheduled with my doctor. If I want to see the PA, I'm also free to make my appointment with the PA. No problem! The only reason I can see why anyone would say they can't see the doctor and just the PA is because the doctor isn't available for an appointment when the patient wants their appointment, or they simply didn't communicate that they wanted the doctor when making the appointment.

I've been free to see either one I want so long as they're available when scheduling. I have at least seven or more regular, special purpose or semi-urgent visits per year, and with my next two appointments I have one with the doctor and the other with the PA. No problem, no disappointments, no dissatisfaction!

One more thing I'd like to mention is that when I see the PA, my primary doctor (or another doctor in her absence) is always available for the PA to consult with if necessary. It's happened more than once since I joined up and with both primary and alternate doctors. The time it was with the alternate doctor, he (Dr. Reilly) resolved what I was told was the worse case of hives they ever saw, and to my relief and thanks to him, it cleared up within 48 hours!