When I was sick a few weeks ago, I realized it would probably be a good idea for Hubby and I to have a primary doctor...I usually depend on my pediatrician mom for (free) medical care, but even she has been prodding me to "grow up" and find my own doctor already...
Hubby was kind enough to make all of the arrangements for me at a local clinic (and offer to stay with the tyke while I went). It was one of those places with a number of family doctors and specialists on staff. I was fine with seeing any of them, provided they could see me THAT day...
I didn't bother to get the specifics of who I was seeing-- just a name, a time, and a location, and off I went. I paid my co-pay, flipped through some outdated magazines, and finally met with... the nurse practitioner?!
Okay, let's just say that my concerns weren't exactly properly addressed and I had to come back for a second visit. That meant taking my son along and paying a second co-pay, so this time I asked to see the DOCTOR!
Not wanting to offend anyone, I was polite and discreet with my request. The receptionist, however was not. She simply said:
"Seeing the nurse is just as good as seeing the doctor... Besides, you didn't sound sick enough to see the dooooo-ctor, but I'll go on and squeeze you in today..."
"Ermmm, thanks, but not in my experience..."
I'm no medical professional here, but if I had just gone through 4 years of schooling, followed by another 6 years, followed by life as an intern, resident, etc... Spent all of that time studying for exams, boards, and licenses. I would be a tad miffed and insulted by that comment.Furthermore, who is the receptionist to be assessing my medical condition (over the phone, no less) and determining whether or not I was "sick enough".
I was sick enough to call. I was sick enough for me and my insurance company to pay someone to examine me. In my book, that's sick enough.
I've noticed that this exact same thing happens at my son's pediatrician. His doctor only sees us if it's a well-check or if she happens to have time. Otherwise, we're sent to her nurse, whose advice the doctor usually contradicts at our next well visit anyway...
My husband and I both grew up in medical families, with each of us having one doctor-parent. Doctor-parents who have been practicing medicine for so long that they still have their "house call" bags, which they still use on occasion. We're talking old school...
As you can imagine, growing up with doctors in our immediate family, there was little reason for Hubby nor I to seek medical attention outside of our home. However, we did get to witness first-hand how a medical practice ought to be run.
My mom, as I mentioned, is a pediatrician. She sees all of her own patients, personally answers all of her own calls, and makes a point of getting to know the families. When people make an appointment with her office, it's an appointment to see her.
This is the only way I've ever known for doctor visits to be and I obviously don't know much about the "state of modern medicine", so please forgive my ignorance.I don't mean to belittle nurses, but I just want to know...
When did nurse practitioners start taking the place of doctors? Furthermore, when did doctors stop having time for their patients... even the ones they consider "minor cases"?
10 comments:
I think nurses and nurse practicioners are a valuable asset to the medical community, but like you, I would prefer to see the physician . . . I have been there, done that, and just have a lot more trust in the individual with M.D. after their name (or, preferably, D.O.) Too many times I have been told things by the NP that have been directly contradicted by the physican the next time I saw them - and while it was never anything that was hurtful to either me or my children, it was quite unsettling. (Though when I was pregnant with my son I called out some of what was told to me by the midwife to the head OB and never had to see the midwife again!) I suppose it is just one of many ways modern medicine is trying to consolidate and insurance companies are trying to get the most bang for their buck. I personally always check the name on the coat, and am not above asking for the attending physican (I pay an awful darn lot for insurance!)
And, I cannot believe a receptionist would take it upon herself to determine who you needed to see! Apparently she has really good liability insurance!
That is exactly why I love our pediatrician. He sees my kids himself each and every time. Also exactly why I sought a new primary doctor for myself a few months ago. When I called the new one, I made sure I'd be seen BY HER!
I see my nurse practitioner a lot, and everytime I've been there, she consults with my doctor before treating me. It's his diagnosis, but she's the one I see. At least, if he's too busy and I can't get fit in his schedule, which is unfortunately the case.
When my son was born and sent to intensive care, a woman came up and introduced herself as the nurse practitioner and my hubby replie, "I don't want a practicing nurse. Can we please get a real one?"
I pay the doctors office and I want a doctor. I would have changed offices very quickly if that had been my experience. I hope you take the time to talk to the doctor about the receptionist. That is, if you get to see him.
Does that mean I'm old if I totally remember house call doctors and their black bags?
If I'm sick enough to take off from work, or stay home from work, I'm sick enough to see a doctor... Nurses are great, but that's not why I'm there, and it's not what I'm paying for either.
The receptionist b'otch needs to be reported.
You have a right to see a doctor. And so do your children. That's ridiculous.
Gotta tell ya', that would have pissed me off to.
Your experience just makes me want to strangle a receptionist, a NP and the supervising doctor. You are so right. You need a real doctor as a primary care doctor. Not one that just signs his/her name to other people's charts.
Hi, arrived via Jennifer at Playgroups. Great writing by the way, I hope you continue to write from London and tell us how it is.
About the nurse practicioners - I grew up seeing Mrs. Christman as a child and she was WONDERFUL. Patient, kind, and great with my brother an I. She was the go to gal for just about everything. (If she didn't feel comfortable treating something, she referred it on to the doctor there that day.)
And as far as training, its not the same as being a doctor, but I believe its a masters in nursing or something like that. A friend of mine is one (practicioner/ midwife)in NC.
I continue to see a nurse practicioners for annual exams, and run of the mill stuff like sinus infections, strep and ear infections. I do have a doctor, but for stuff that I know what it is, I really like the nurse practicioners that I see.
But then again, I'm pretty healthy so maybe I'd feel different if that wasn't the case.
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