Dr or physician assistant?

[hulababy]

just wondering when is last time you saw an actual Dr.?? I know when I go to gyn it's a physician assistant, also at the Derm its a physicial assistant.
wonder if Doctors will be come a thing of the past? Remember the good old days when they came to your home ??

[rubicon]

Actually I am seeing more physician assitants. It is especially true with primry care doctors here. i wonder if it has anything to do with the fee schedule utilized by medicare? Also perhaps it is just because of sheer volume here?

[A-4 Skyhawk]

I hope I don't offend anyone, but for minor aches and pains (GP stuff) I think I prefer a PA. They get an unusual amount of training in diagnostics and treatment. Their bed side is better and they work harder to get things right. I've never had a bad experience with a PA.

[natickdan]

Some of my best medical experiences have involved a PA. For many years, I have been getting treatments from an orthopedic PA that has been in practice for more than 20 years and I'm quite content with being his patient. PA's seem to have more time for their patients and in many cases, they have a post graduate degree that is either two or three years.

[Joaniesmom]

I hope I don't offend anyone, but for minor aches and pains (GP stuff) I think I prefer a PA. They get an unusual amount of training in diagnostics and treatment. Their bed side is better and they work harder to get things right. I've never had a bad experience with a PA.

I agree. PAs spend more time with you. They have time to ask you those little sometimes meaningful questions that the doc might skip. When you think about it, it's a waste of his/her training and your money to have a highly trained physician see you for a minor sore throat or some such. The PAs know when you need to see a doc and promptly send you to him/her. But I think PAs are a great improvement in our healthcare system. :clap2:

My $0.02.

Joaniesmom