Physician assistants

Who has received a physical exam from a Physician assistant, instead of your regular doctor? How much undressed? Same exam or less of a physical? Male or female PA? If you have had both, was there any difference in how much you were told to undress? Or the exam thoroughness? Any other differences between a PA physical and a doctor physical?

My first rectal examination came at the hands of a male nurse practitioner. Does that count? The next year, I went to the same office, but was seen by a female nurse practitioner. She checked my penis and testicles, but stopped short of doing a prostate exam on me. I didn't notice any difference in how I was treated compared to being examined by an M.D.

Never had a physical from a PA or NP. I have seen a NP a few times for problem focused visits when my PCP was on leave. This particular NP seems quite competent and I would have no concerns if she were to do a full physical.

I recently was seen by both a male and female PA at an urgent care clinic when I fell and got a scalp laceration. They knew I was a doc and bent over backwards to be thorough. They were so concerned that I might have a head injury. I found their concern and the gentle treatment I received sweet and touching. Every practitioner must be appreciated. I wasn't one bit happy about having my scalp stapled rather than sutured however.

Years ago when I was pregnant some of my prenatals were done by a nurse midwife of the OB/GYN group. This was a usual practice for routine pregnancies. She was a friendly but professional woman about my age at the time and already had two kids of her own.

About 18 months ago I was running a fever and I was having some trouble breathing. I could hear the rales without needing a stethoscope. My Primary Care was out of town and his office (which is 30 miles away) suggested I go to the Urgent Care facility run by the regional medical center. I was seen by the PA, who was pretty uncommunicative. I doubt if she said three words to me and wouldn't reply to my questions. After the quick exam, temp, bp, heart and lungs, which was followed by a chest x-ray, she returned with a prescription for an inhaler and sent me home. The supervising physician called me a couple hours later with the radiology report. Nothing serious, but an uncomfortable visit nonetheless.

I have seen plenty of PA"s before and let me tell you I did not like any one of them. when had bad knee had to see any orthopedist and they stuck me with a PA for that and he saw fluid on my knee and left it go and one visit said you can have knee brace then he refused to give it to me for many more weeks. I saw a PA for my asthma and they said I was not to bad and that no meds were needed then a few months later I was on an inhaler as I got really bad. then I have seen a few PA's at urgent care the first time I told the lady that I had stomach bug and could not keep stuff down and she was wacko enough to give me pills for it, and next time I went to urgent care the PA I told her I was swimmers ear and she looked at it and said I need to flush out ear and I told her not to and why she should not do it and she said to bad I am gonna do it anyway and then she hurts me. so in my opinion I do not like PA's much and I prefer to see a doctor when I have a problem. that needs fixed in my case I think seeing a doctor is better as all the PA's I seen seem to have not done a good job. srg rik I like your post as I can relate to it a lot.

I have been scheduled for a Physical with both a PA and NP. With the PA's I did not notice any difference between them and my regular Doctor and one of them was female. The NP I had was a little unused to dealing with male patients and you could tell she was more than a little nervous. When it came to the Genital and Hernia check she mumbled something and left the room saying she would check with my Doctor and be right back. Moments later she and my regular PCP entered the room. He then went ahead and performed the genital & hernia exam with her watching closely, as he explained what he was doing and why, and then asked me if it was OK for her to also do the exam. I gave my permission and she then had to do the genital and hernia exam as he instructed her as to what she should be feeling for and so on. He then did a rectal exam, since it had been a year and my age dictated that it should be done yearly, and again explained the procedure and told her to glove up and perform the exam too. You could tell she was very apprehensive, but went ahead, and with his instructions and descriptions as to what she should be feeling for and so on, finally made it through the exam. I think she may have been a little embarrassed, but probably learned a lot that day.

I should add that I work with PAs everyday. They handle a lot of relatively minor cases which we as physicians simply can't see because of time restraints. They vary in their skill of course. However all cases are presented to us before the patient leaves. Most times we see the patient briefly as well. PAs are individuals obviously and vary in their expertise. A few are so good that I trust them implicitly. Others are less so but all cases are presented to us. I'm not so sure I approve of PAs working alone at a facility. Having a physician backup by phone is not the same as having one on site. I was fortunate in what happened to me but my laceration was minor. It would of course be lovely if we could see every patient but sadly this just isn't possible. PAs allow us to see all patients more expeditiously.

The OP seems to be fishing for some sexual aspect of care by a PA as opposed to a physician. Good luck with that fantasy. The ONLY difference I've ever noticed is that the PAs and NPs tend to take more time with me than the doctors do.

Yep here we go again with wishful thinking.

Sore subject for me since Obama Care I have had two bad experiences with doctors and great experiences with nurse practitioners. Loss of hearing in one ear and strained shoulder basically told I had a problem but because of my age we won't do anything about it unless it gets worse. I was about 60 at the time. On the shoulder I went back and got no she got me xrays and physical therapy which solved the problem. On hearing I never found out what caused it but I wear hearing aids now. At the time the doctor told me I could have a tumor at the time that was great concern to me.

I have been seen by both good and bad PA/NP's.

. The good ones spent time with me, listened to what I had to say, and did very thorough knowledgeable exams. As a professional I believe you should provide information, treat the patient to the best of your ability, be nonjudgmental, and not try to impose upon them what your decisions would be allowing them to make their own decisions with the best information possible.

The ones I had issues with either 1) did their job very poorly because they either didn't care or didn't have the knowledge base. 2) Or they wouldn't accept your opinions or decisions instead insisting that you abide by theirs and if you don't they try to make you feel as if you are making the wrong decision or simply refuse to do anything but what they have decided.

This not only applies to PA's and NP's but to others in the medical community. Thankfully these people represent a minority however if you come across even one it can influence your opinion of the entire profession.

I have had an N.P. many times during my pregnacys, due to frequent visits because of high risk pregnancies. I always found her very professional, knowlegeable , and quite thourough.She was also a very nice , and easy to communicate woman . Her compentence was never in question for me . During recovery of a heart catherization I began to bleed out from the puncture site and also began to have a stroke. It was a P.A. that was first to respond . He acted quickly and authoritively , maintained a calmness and managed to assure me through the whole ordeal. He not only saved me ( along with the amazing nurses) but he kept me from being frantic during such a chaotic and quite scary ordeal . My point is , every profession has those that are passionate about their work and genuinely give their all , and those that its just a job to them .

It is a roll of the dice when I schedule my annual physical. Sometimes my doctor conducts the exam, sometimes it is with a PA. It is all matter of scheduling.

It is a roll of the dice when I schedule my annual physical. Sometimes my doctor conducts the exam, sometimes it is with a PA. It is all matter of scheduling.

I've always had a problem with that. I completely understand if I need an immediate appointment for a problem, I take anyone qualified, but for scheduled visits, I want to see my doctor, not whomever they decide is available.

I have never had the occasion to be treated by a NP -- and I know that I am about to generalize from a very small sample -- but the ones I have seen treating friends and relatives have been superb. I know several NPs -- one of whom has a doctorate in nursing -- and I believe that the additional training that NPs receive AFTER the basic nursing degree and the real-time practice in the field would make me more comfortable with a NP than a PA I didn't know. I recognize that there are good and bad people in all professions, but I have heard many complaints from my doctor friends about PAs and few or none about the NPs they work with.

Whilst never actually examined by one, I usually get injections from them. State of undress is therefore limited to dropping trousers and pulling down pants. She normally makes me bend over before preparing the shots so I can't see them, which means a long wait in position anticipating the jabs. If she is attractive, the experience can be quite arousing.

I've seen several female NPs in the past. Most of the time I've only seen them for a sick visit, like a bad cold or sinus infection. But I had one that I liked a lot and actually scheduled full physical exams with her since I knew that she was very thorough and took her time with the exam. Her exams were very good as she seemed to check everything head-to-toe. But just like choosing a doctor, YMMV.

The OP seems to be fishing for some sexual aspect of care by a PA as opposed to a physician.

Oh, I get it now... Well, here goes...

I've been examined by a PA as well as an NP. I liked the PA so much that I gave her a tip. The NP? I gave her the whole thing... 😃

I have had them from male and female and it was bout the same in my boxers

NPs have five years of training while PAs only have eighteen months. That said it entirely depends on the individual.

I have also seen an NP to when old doc was not able to see me. she saw me treated me for a problem and I ended up getting worse, and it was a Friday so I called the office to tell that and to see if I should go to urgent as I felt totally worse. it was a chest cold on top my asthma so I knew getting worse was not good. well they said we will talk to her and see what she says to do. well they called me back and said she said you are fine and that you do not need to go to urgent care at all, well next day I ended up at urgent care as I felt super worse and I happened to see an NP there to and after the exam she was like well all I am gonna do for u is give you like 4 days worth of cough meds and sent me on my way. she said I prob needed another antibiotic but that she would not give me one because my docs office put me on one a week or so before I saw her and that because of that she did not feel right giving me another one which was needed. so in my personal opjnion I do not trust PA's or NP's at all I much rather stick with my new doc who is the best of te best for me

I do not care to be examined by an NP or PA in e.r.'s or at my doctors offices. I was with my ex in the e.r. and they didn't do him any goilod at all. Here where I live now, in KY, they just are not very good. My best friend has many medical issues that keep her going to the e.r. They think she might have m.s. and we are waiting to get her to a specialist in St. Louis. With so many visits to our local e.r., the P.A.'s do not seem to take her complaints seriously. The last time we went we insisted on the dr. It was an extra long wait, but we didn't care. It's the same at the Dr's office if our PCP isn't in, we ask for a doctor instead of a NP or PA. They are just not able to correctly treat her. Our dr has a note in the computer system that my friend is to only see her.

I have received care from both an NP and physician. I have been pleased with both. I have found that my times or exams with the NP have been less rushed or longer in terms of the time spent talking to me and conducting the exam. As for the exam, its basically the same +/- the examiner's style and social interaction. Either way, I am undressed and thoroughly examined!

Several years ago I was examined by a female PA. She was very thorough, and very helpful with some specific questions.

When I was a teenager pretty much all of my exams were with a female PA. I lived in a pretty small town and the PA was usually there a lot more often than the MD ever was. Her exams were no different than an exam by an MD, full physical, genital, rectal etc.

Twice, when I went for my annual DRE at my urologist I have been examined by his physician assistant.

Once by a male and once by a female. They did a quick thorough exam.

I have also had both mail and female med students in the room when my doctor examined me.

They just observed. I sort of wished they go their turn also.😃

Never from a PA, but I had my checkup done by the resident who works with my family doctor last year and will be seeing him again this year. He seems to do most of the regular checkups. I was in a paper gown with just my panties on under it. The exam was pretty much the same as my family doctor does except that the resident seemed to be more thorough with the stethoscope. He also spent a bit more time with me than my family doctor does.

It's normal for a resident to take longer. They're less sure of themselves and are essentially being graded on their rotation.