you take your child to the Dr. and you get this nurse practitioner wait a moment i AM paying for a DR>?

Question

does this seem to be an increasing problem <<

Answer 1

Yup its bullsh!t. Same with teaching hospitals. You get students instead of doctors.

Answer 2

It's not really a problem if it's a routine issue. Nurse practitioners are highly trained, very close to a doctor without surgery. If you're child has the flu, ear infection, etc. then the nurse practitioner is fully qualified to help out If you have a disease or ongoing issue I woud make sure you see a doctor. The other option is to find an office that doesn't have a nurse practitioner. Or when you make the appointment be specific about who you want to see.

Answer 3

for basic illness your nurse practioner is ofter the better option, they tend to spend more time with the patient and if a specialty clinic they can manage most cases just as effectively because of specilized training... the use of NP is actually cost effective and lowering your insurance costs, and many offices have a different schedule for the NP or the DR. The nurse practioner has a MASTERS degree that means a minimum of 6 to 8 years of education often with many years of clinical experience too as many NP finish their degress later..... many offices and clinics are using Physicians Assistants too.... given the choice I'd go with the NP.... you have to know your particular offices policies, often you can see the doctor when requested... it just may take longer, the Dr and NP work together too, often discuss cases even if your not aware, and there has to be a Dr for the NP to refer to if any questions... whether on site or not...
I am sorry you are so upset about this... you need to research your primary care office options....If you are ever uncomfrotable with the care you get or the person giving the care you always have the option to request someone (sometimes people do this to me but often i'm the ONLY RN on my floor) else or to go somewhere else.

Answer 4

Actually, I find that NP's generally have more time available with me in the exam room than the actual doctor. Also, my experience is that the NP will give me different options than the regular doctor has.

And personally, the insurance is paying for it, so I'm sure they're getting a discounted rate anyway.

When they have just as much experience as the doctor and the visit is better for me in the long run, I sometimes will ask if the NP is available!

I guess if you don't like it, you can ask for the doctor.

Answer 5

Usually they ask if you have a problem seeing an NP before actually giving you an appt. with one, or at least that has been my experience. Were you not asked first?

An NP has seen me a few times, and she's done an excellent job. It was even an NP who diagnosed the tumor in my mom's colon, catching it in time for her to have surgery and make a full recovery with no further problems.

Answer 6

What do you mean you are "paying" for a doctor? If you don't want to see the NP, then make your child's appointment with the pediatrician instead.

Problem solved.

Answer 7

I agree, same problem when I want the dentist, and get a hygienist or assistant putting a crown on......go figure..