Why isn’t my doctor seeing me for routine visits any more?
Ask the Doctor
I've found lately that when I make a routine appointment with my doctor's office, I may be seen by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner instead of my doctor. I really don't have any complaints, but I'm wondering why they seem to be taking on things that my doctor used to handle. Is this a new trend?Often, by seeing the nurse practitioner, women are seen earlier, and by the time they see me they've already had laboratory and imaging tests. They actually get the necessary care more quickly than if they had waited for an appointment with me in the first place. My practice is not unusual, as studies show that up to a third of ambulatory appointments are with nurse practitioners or physician assistants. A team approach, with doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners working together, can provide all of the elements for quality care—including urgent care, primary care, and complex specialty care.
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