Physical with M.D. or N.P.? Who do you go to?

[TwinFoxes]

There is a role for physician extenders in medicine. It’s not in new patients, consults, and physical exams though. It’s in guideline based follow up care (ie if blood pressure is X after staring med A, then do Y).

I agree with this. My friend's adult son's cancer diagnosis was missed despite several visits to the NP, even though he presented with classic symptoms (my friend googled his symptoms and insisted he get them to write an order for an MRI.) I had a NP prescribe something for me that she shouldn't have. My SIL is a NP, but she works on a specialized team in a hospital, she's not on her own diagnosing conditions. Even she's told me not to see a NP for exams/diagnosis.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I go to a NP for physicals. I have felt confident in their abilities and, if anything, they have been more cautions than my Dr. with regards to investigating things/

[westwoodmom04]

They have very little training, and in general don’t know what they don’t know, which is the scariest way to be.

I’m sure there are some good ones, but you have no way of knowing.

There is a role for physician extenders in medicine. It’s not in new patients, consults, and physical exams though. It’s in guideline based follow up care (ie if blood pressure is X after staring med A, then do Y).

This, np training is nowhere nears as long or extensive as MDs.

[boilermakermom]

They have very little training, and in general don’t know what they don’t know, which is the scariest way to be.

I’m sure there are some good ones, but you have no way of knowing.

There is a role for physician extenders in medicine. It’s not in new patients, consults, and physical exams though. It’s in guideline based follow up care (ie if blood pressure is X after staring med A, then do Y).

This. I couldn’t agree more! I thought I was missing something since almost everyone I had asked (locally) allI recommended a certain N. P.

I’ll stick with an M.D. for my physical.

[gymnbomb]

I see a NP as my primary care provider. She gives referrals to specialists if needed.


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[MSWR0319]

I go to a NP for physicals. I have felt confident in their abilities and, if anything, they have been more cautions than my Dr. with regards to investigating things/

This is what I've experienced as well. I took DS to our NP last week for his concussion and once she did a very througouh exam and the concussion test paperwork, she told me she was very worried and referring us to a specialist and would make sure we got in the next day. My friend took her son, who had a worse concussion than DS, to their MD and he pretty much did nothing. He's had two and still hasn't been referred. Obviously, each NP is different, much like each MD. My yearly physicals with my MD are nothing to write home about at all and it's a fight to get her to give me an antibiotic when I have a sinus infection despite the fact that I have a history of sinus infections and make sure I wait almost 3 weeks because I know she won't give me an antibiotic before then. I have experienced some NP's at the ped's office that I did not like, but I've also met some highly qualified specialist that I did not trust. I feel like with any medical scenario you have to be as educated as possible and if you feel like you aren't getting what you feel you need or think you need to push for more, then you should push regardless of if it's an MD or NP.

[georgiegirl]

I have no issues with NPs, and DH is a physician. I feel like our MD pediatrician totally sucks and it’s not like he has any helpful knowledge. For anything “real,” we ask for a referral to a specialist. DS1 sees a nurse practitioner who specializes in psychiatry as his psychiatrist and she’s AMAZING!!!! Like the only doctor who has ever really helped him. She spends a lot of time with him and she is truly knowledgeable. If we have real concerns about our kids or ourselves, we get a referral to a specialist. I don’t find that family practice doctors or pediatricians are helpful in figuring out weird things or dealing with complex issues.


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[ang79]

I used to see an MD at our practice that I really liked, until she moved away. Then I started seeing a female NP. I rarely get sick and normally only go to the doctor for a yearly physical that my insurance company requires. I feel that the NP has been sufficient for that, but if I was having any bigger problems, I might try an MD, or ask for a referral to a specialist. My kids normally see the NP at our pediatrician's office and prefer her over the MD's there. She has treated them since they were very young and takes her time with them and knows them well, knows what is normal for them, etc. If she had any concerns past her ability I'm certain she would consult with the MD's in the office or refer to a specialist if needed.

[Chitowngirl]

I hate blanket statements as there are good NPs and bad NPs just as there are good and bad MDs.

My answer to you though would differ depending on what state you live in. I live in IL which is a collaborative agreement state meaning the MD and NP work together as a team and any work done by the NP is overseen by the MD (who is ultimately responsible). Even if you only see the NP in these states, the MD is overseeing and ultimately responsible. I love my MD/NP team. I trust them completely, and I would see either for my yearly exam. I have never lived in a state where NPs can practice independently and would have to think twice in that situation due to the differences in training others have mentioned before.




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[Myira]

I’d like to visit a MD but it is not easy to get an appointment with one. I do have one now for the past 3 years, but it took years to get one. If you move and are a new patient, I feel 7 out of 10 practices are not accepting new patients. Is this not everyone else’s experience more or less? I was talking to our pediatrician and he said less and less doctors are opting to do primary care and this will get worse in the future. I never see my primary care except for this annual physical which I schedule 2 months in advance.

My parents are in India and annual physical is extremely thorough there, several facilities that do it are equipped with everything from dexa scans and 3D imaging to MDs that consult with you on your results. In addition, they have a family care physician that they have been seeing for years and knows not only their health history but life situation. My dad always insists on me getting one done when I’m visiting.


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