Comments on: Doctor Curmudgeon: Doctors Yes! Providers No!

By: Matthew

Matthew — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 23:25:59 +0000

Physician’s don’t like PAs? Sure they do: When they’re helping to reduce their workload or doing things the physicians don’t want to do themselves. Physician’s just don’t like to be lumped in with PAs or with nurses or NPs.

Another term I find creepy is “mid-levels”. Mid-level of what? Does that make MDs “high level” and RNs “low level”?

In the academic setting, I used to be annoyed by the term “clinician” (instead of physician) which was used to distinguish PhD research faculty from MD medical faculty.

By: Enid

Enid — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 19:10:39 +0000

Highly descriptive blog, I enjoyed that bit.
Will ther be a part 2?

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 02:41:50 +0000

To me the term “provider ” supports and encourages Doctors to feel okay about not taking the time to connect to their patients. The state of the current healthcare system is weighted down by excess processes, paperwork and politics…..which in some cases leads Doctors further down the path to be “providers” to their patients…..I am blessed that my Doctor knows my name and history without being reminded. She calls me personally to update me on any test results, check on me and more. She has given me her cell number to call anytime I need. She takes time to answer any questions. I consider her a very special blessing in my life! Thank you for being such an exceptional , compassionate , honest, and caring Doctor !
Deborah S.

By: MINNA

MINNA — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 13:28:14 +0000

Well said!!!!

By: Diane

Diane — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 14:46:52 +0000

Thank you for your comment, Withuf.
Physicians do not like PAs. They have nowhere near the training that we have and can miss something important.

We all make mistakes, but PAs just do not have the education, experience and many times, just do not have the ability to “know what they do not know,” and therefore ask for help or refer to a specialist.

Your physician may have a PA. We do NOT. My feeling is that if a physician is that busy, he can hire another MD or DO:, even part time.

I do not know what is more important in my practice than my patients and I want to see them .

Many physicians feel that provider lumps us together with ancillary people. An MD or DO is a physician . Period.

By: Wilhuf

Wilhuf — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:16:43 +0000

Coming at this from the patient optic.

My GP physician’s PA provided (sorry) my pre-op physical. Both my GP and PA like that kind of arrangement. My GP can see more
patients while her PA gets to do pre-op physicals.

When I visit my GP’s office I expect to visit and receive treatment from a physician, not a PA. But don’t GPs like PAs because they free physician time for more important matters?

Also, as “provide” is not the action that physicians take, then what verb offers a more accurate description of physicians’ primary action?

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 22:37:00 +0000

Dicowden, I love your photo…but I see a pug in your photo. Canines are so perceptive…as well as felines, of course

By: dicowden

dicowden — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 21:24:22 +0000

I love Dr. Curmudgeon…let me count the ways:
1. Caring & dedication to patients
2. Expressing so succinctly the irritation we all experience with “the healthcare system” (another misnomer!)
3. Being spot on about the idiocy of the”healthcare non-system”
4. Helping me laugh when I feel very cynical about how the “non system”
always seems to be interfering with true caring for patients
5. And very importantly understanding the role of chocolate in coping with it all!
Thanks, Dr. C!

By: Morningbird

Morningbird — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:54:10 +0000

Yes, yes I am a doctor , Not a provider

By: Ellen Kracoff

Ellen Kracoff — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 19:06:49 +0000

It is sad that physicians, with all their years of education and training, are being erroneously described as “providers”. Where physicians do provide care to their patients…..that care is above and beyond what one would expect from a “provider”. It is like comparing a licensed attorney with a certified paralegal. Would you like a paralegal to negotiate your divorce or make sure the title liens on the property you are purchasing are properly cleared? I think not! Keep up the good work in spreading the message……physicians are well educated and trained individuals who should not be grouped together with medical personnel who have limited education and training……Physicians are not providers.