Is this weird? (Dr. related VENT)

joeysgirl2008

Ok, so my gyn apparently has so many patients, she can't see me for 4 months. I asked well, I'm due for an annual before that, so I need to see her. They offered me to see her nurse practitioner or something like that. The receptionist said they can do everything a doctor can but do surgery.

WTF is the point of going to this "amazing" doctor (who my SIL recommended)...who I didn't find all that amazing to begin with last year, to just go to her nurse? How the heck can a nurse be like a doctor anyway? 

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm just weirded out by this.

I'm also changing doctors because of this...I'm picky, go only once a year, I want to see a DOCTOR. Ugh!

mzovoce

I ran into a similar problem a few years ago and that's when I started looking at alternatives too.

But just to clarify, most people do not need to see a doctor for regular medical care. A nurse practioner (NP) is a RN who has additional training and education. They are qualified to take care of most medical issues that are handeled in an internal/family medical practice. A midwife is a NP, just to cite an example. Another benefit of the NP is the cost, they dont' charge as much as doctors so it helps keep health care costs down across the board for everyone.

I think moving forward we are all going to see more NPs and PAs (physicians assistants) in all medical practices. In almost all states they have to be attached to a group or a hospital with a doctor overseeing all care.

FWIW, but I have a seen a midwife throughout this pregnancy and could not be happier. When I got the plague a few weeks ago I saw the PA at my family doctor's office. I can almost always get a same day appointment with both since a lot of people insist on seeing a doctor. I feel that I am recieving excellent medical care and they are both VERY attentive which is important to me.

Mike and Rachael

This is pretty common.  Most of the doctors in the GYN offices are delivering babies or seeing the complicated cases.  For most of the common visits, i.e. your annual, they have the NP handle.  Unfortunately with today's healthcare practices (especially due to malpractice insurance fees), the offices are overbooking and increasing the patient load in order to compensate for money they're having to spend. I was surprised when I saw the actual doctor when I had a visit earlier in the spring, but then again it wasn't just an annual visit.

Mike and Rachael

Oh forgot to mention, I would have no qualms seeing a NP.  In fact, my first OBGYN was actually a NP/Midwife.  See MT's post above.

Cissy_Strut

I agree with MT's post above. The NP or PA has similar training, and can probably handle most routine issues or procedures. Becoming a NP is essentially doing a masters program on top of your RN schooling. The same with a PA, but they weren't nurses first.

joeysgirl2008

Thanks ladies. I guess I'll give it a shot. Gyn visits for me are very not fun lol, and I just have a lot of questions, as always, so I wanted to make sure I'm seeing someone who basically knows their sh!t.

ShoeFanatic614

The general public's view of NP's is usually a negative one but they are actually fine to see for a routine visit (ditto what everyone else said too).  They can diagnose you and write you a prescription and you often will get more personal care.  I love my doctor but I often feel like she's really rushed with me because she has so much going on.  I wish her office had an NP that I could see sometimes.  And if for some reason your NP can't answer your questions, she'll more than likely go grab the doc to talk to you real quick.

HTH!

mzovoce

joeysgirl2008:

Thanks ladies. I guess I'll give it a shot. Gyn visits for me are very not fun lol, and I just have a lot of questions, as always, so I wanted to make sure I'm seeing someone who basically knows their sh!t.

me too, so make sure you make a list and bring it with you. that way you don't forget anything.

christenm

yeah, this is pretty common.  I actually prefer to see the NP over the doctor, like PP'er said, you get more personalized care.