is a physicians assistant just as good as a medical doctor?

Question

I have to go to the doctors and they signed me up for the P.A. so i want to know are they just the same or should i ask for the MD?

Answer 1

With any medical profession, you're going to have competent people and incompetent people. It's amazing how some of these people are even allowed to have licenses. And I mean this with ALL medical professions. There are some very competent PA's out there. I think you should see the PA. If your gut tells you that you don't like anything about the PA, then request to see the Doctor.

Answer 2

I frequently see PA's and have found them much more personable, while still very knowledgeable, in comparison to an MD. My dad is also a PA, but he has a specific specialty not a general one. Also by the way, almost all PA's do have their master's degree, it's not a no master's versus master's job, as another poster stated. Also, MD's do not have a master's degree, the have a doctorate degree, which is either a 1-2 year longer program, or has been taken following completion of a master's degree. Many PA's can prescribe medicine and perform surgery, as my dad frequently does, as long as there is some level of supervision from an MD. However, a DO is something to watch out for, it is different than a medical doctor, in my experience they are terrible, inparticular ones I have worked with as opposed to seen for treatment, but everyone is different, regardless of degree.

Answer 3

Personally,
I would NEVER see anybody who was not an MD. I have a long history of medical problems, and many of them could have been treated/prevented if they would have been caught by someone educated. I learned my lesson. Unless it's something very very minor, I would suggest the MD all the way!

Answer 4

I've had great experiences with a PA. If anything major comes up the MD will follow through.

Answer 5

Let's be honest. Medicine isn't something you teach yourself. Do you really think you can teach yourself how the pituitary regulates body functions? What about the Krebs cycle? For either MD/DO or a PA, you have to learn from those who already understand the concepts. And as other have said, you can't sit for the exams unless you've been formally trained?

Answer 6

some of them are better, but they arent allowed to do everything a MD can. Ive had good experiences with PA's but the MD's are better trained than a PA

Answer 7

The PA is almost the same as the MD. The major difference is the doctorate degree.

Answer 8

A MD has more schooling. This would not deter me. The PA is usually nicer and spends more time with you. They are quite capable to take care of you. Anything complicated and you would go the the MD.

Answer 9

I see lots of medical people and a number of PA's. Though they have less education, the ones I've seen know what they are doing and know when to refer you to the doctor. A doctor who uses a PA to assist him usually can charge less for his/her service.

Answer 10

A lot of times you see a physicians assistant in ER and don't know it unless you see their name tag. The doctor has many years of training but the physican assistants are trained to assist the physician. They treat non-life threatening conditions. I would feel comfortable going to one in non-life threatening situaiton.