When I go to the doctor I am seen and treated by the doctor. When I have to go to the ER, which I did 3 times lately (I caught pneumonia), ultimately I want to be seen by a doctor too. Last time, that didn't happen - I never saw a doctor. I was seen by a physician's assistant.
I have a problem being medically treated by a physician's assistant and not seen by a doctor. Yes, I trust PA's and nurses and they usually do a good job - but it's MY f-ing body and I want a highly experienced doctor fiddling with it!
Becoming a doctor takes 4 years to obtain an undergraduate degree from medical school, another 2 years to obtain a medical degree or MD and then 3 to 7 additional years of residency training before you can obtain a license to practice medicine or surgery. Doctors are board-certified on the national level and must obtain a state license where they practice.
To become a PA requires several years less education and experience. A scope of a PA’s duties include examining patients, diagnosing illnesses, taking the patient’s history, developing and carrying out treatment plans, counseling patients on healthcare plans and suturing wounds.
Why are we patients allowing non-doctors to examine us, diagnose our diseases and injuries and, in some cases, perform surgery??? Because our state governments allow it. And promote it. My state, California, does. Why? Because there is a shortage of doctors. And the government lowered the standards of OUR health care. Without asking our opinion or feedback. According to a report released by the California Primary Care Association (CPCA), we California residents will need 8,243 additional primary care physicians, or 32 percent of our current workforce, by 2030. A 2017 study conducted for the AAMC by IHS Inc., predicts that the United States will face a shortage of between 40,800-104,900 physicians by 2030. There will be shortages in both primary and specialty care, and specialty shortages will be particularly large.
And, because of the continuing doctor shortage, many states will no doubt also allow nurses to perform many of the functions of a doctor, too. One day, at this rate, we'll have plumbers performing internal medicine and electricians performing brain and heart surgery. And hookers medically treating erectile dysfunction. OK, THAT might be a good idea :)
Non-doctors practicing medicine. On OUR bodies. What's a better solution? Create more doctors! Make medical school cheaper, pay doctors more, have less restrictions and fewer regulations. Federal, state and local governments need to do whatever is necessary to provide we, the people, with good - and proper - health care!!! Health is the #1 concern of life, especially from middle age to old age.