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.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.