Physician's Assistants: My New Perspective!

Hello, To All ~~~

Have you ever had a new life experience that changed your perspective, in new and positive ways?

I have always been well served by proactive and compassionate doctors at the oncology treatment center.

It's a smaller center, with top-notch doctors --- with a noted emphasis on personalized care. I am there each month.

In the past few months, a new physician's assistant was hired. I honestly didn't think much about it --- at that point in time. I rely on MY main doctor ---- right?!! That trusted BOND that develops over time!

At my appointments last spring, I noticed the new physician's assistant went with my oncologist to every patient's appointment, over the course of a couple months.

Recently, my doctor traveled out of the country, to attend to an unexpected family emergency.

Sure enough, the new physician's assistant stepped in --- and she immediately took over all of my doctor's appointments in his absence, including my appointment.

The physician's assistant knew every aspect of my healthcare plan.

In that moment, it was obvious that meeting every patient in the preceding months was time WELL spent, and I was thankful for her attention to detail, sincerity, and expertise.

I quite honestly had never given much thought to the role of a physician's assistant before ---and left with a newfound feeling of admiration and respect for the work that they do, in terms of helping patients.

With my main doctor out of the country, it suddenly STRUCK ME like a bolt of lightning that we should ALL ask our doctors if there is a trusted colleague or physician's assistant we should see instead ---- if our main doctor is ever called away, absent, attending a medical conference, dealing with an emergency, or on vacation.

For my case, I can feel greater assurance the next time my doctor might be away from the clinic -- knowing I can ALSO rely on his physician's assistant who knows me and my healthcare plan.

I thought my experience might perhaps be helpful to another reader or two!

My best to each & all ~~~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

I am glad to hear you had a great experience with the PA. Me, I've had 3 experiences with PAs and each time there was a problem. The first was who I saw when my regular doctor referred me to urology when my PSA had risen and there was a suspect DRE. This PA said I should probably have a biopsy. I did. When the results came back to the PA, she neither called me nor sent them to the urologist who did the procedure. After over a week of waiting, I called the PA repeatedly and finally gave up and looked at my results online and had to use Dr. Google to explain what a Gleason score was. This was the reason I went several states away to Cleveland for surgery. I asked one of my running partners who works there in IT if patients are supposed to do DIY explanations on a cancer diagnosis. She said to file a complaint, I did and that went nowhere.

A month or so after surgery I was having severe pain in the groin and went back in and saw another PA. When I explained what was going on he didn't even let me finish before he diagnosed a hernia since I'd had RALP and I guess he'd read that can be a side effect. I had already self-diagnosed it as a spermatocele but was sent to ultrasound and then to a surgeon. The surgeon looked at the ultrasound and examined me and said I didn't have a hernia and said that what I had needed to be seen by a urologist. I did and was told it was a spermatocele. Duh!

3rd time was when I had a back issue. Ultimately it was a bulging disc but was presenting as pain in my leg, especially the quad. The PA I saw felt my quad and claimed that my muscle was in complete spasm because it was so hard and gave me muscle relaxers. I am a serious long distance runner and my muscles always feel like that. I went back and saw a real doctor who gave me a pred pack and a few days later I was fine.

This could be because of where I live but I refuse to be seen by PAs anymore.

I have great respect for PA's. Most know their boundaries - as restricted by law - and never overstep. It has been my experience that most, when at a crossroads (as I recite symptoms, etc.) defer to the MD. I recently had this happen at my Uro when I was concerned about my frequency of urination.

Most practices in New Jersey are affiliated with Barnabas, Atlanticare or Rothman. A doctor friend of mine always underscores that the money (and other) costs of setting-up and maintaining private practices are exorbitant nowadays. Hence, the group scenario.

I do, however, notice that physicians within one group most-often give needed referrals to another practitioner who is a member of the parent organization. And that I do not fancy.

Good post (as always), Cyclone!

NJ Fred

I've always had better luck Communicating with PAs than doctors. An exception has been my MOs, who seem to be willing to spend as much time with me as I desire.

Very interesting topic Cyclone. What Donna (Randy Joe) said kind of sums it up. You get good and bad no matter where you go. I personally have dealt with PA's that seem to be able to communicate and deal with patient better than the doctor. And on occasion dealt with just the opposite. I put a great deal of trust in what the PA has to say. I also look forward to the times that another assistant fills in for the regular assigned assistant. That way you sometimes get a different take on a particular issue. I have also found that on some occasions the assistant seems to be somewhat more straight forward when dealing with a patient, and, as Mattman says, easier to communicate with.

Mr. Bill

I haven't seen my RO since pre-Covid days. NP only, every 6 months, for follow up visits. Which is fine by me as long as i stay undetectable, theres not much to talk about