to expect to see a doctor instead of a "nurse practioner"?

I think that people are getting muddled between practice nurses, who are nurses that specialise in primary care and work in general practices (they may also specialse in areas of disease (mostly chronic disease) or take qualifications that alow them to prescribe), and nurse practictioners, who are specialist acute (ie hospital) nurses who then take additional training in a particular area. On the whole nurses are cheaper than doctors, but as has been said, not always if you are comparing a senior nurse to a junior doctor. The key is the specialism though, and research has shown that having specialist nurses can be very effective (more continuity, sometimes a more holistic approach). The main reason for the expansion in hospitals has been the changes to doctors training and the reduction in hours that they are allowed to work. This has meant that more people are required, and as nurses are quicker to train, this has been popular, also as has been said, is common practice in many other parts of the world.

Also NPs specialise - geriatrics, paediatrics, gynae, family care, etc.

Also you get a longer appointment.

I don't care so long as I get treated as soon as possible.

NP's and PAs are common in the US.

You get an appointment straightaway and if they can't get it sorted then you get an E ticket to see the doc.

I agree with misde and kbear

can't be arsed to read ny more replies

dmo - that is outrageous, i would simply tell the receptionist to mind her own business (have been tempted to describe something nasty in vivid detail in the past)

I work part time as a vet receptionist, i always ask the symptoms or what the appointment is for for two reasons, one, we make a note so the vet can have an idea what he/she is looking at and can check back on notes before the consultation if neccesary. Secondly, if there are no appointments available then people are often prepared to wait until the next day but in my experience it is best to check the symptoms as it might be something serious the owner hasn't picked up on and in that instance i will make sure the animal is seen as an emergency. I would never take it upon myself to diagnose a problem over the phone, however i will offer advice when asked and am qualified and experienced enough to do so.

I do not believe however that Dr receptionist is the same so i would be simply stating that i want to see a Dr as it is important, i would however be prepared to see a nurse practitioner if none was avail as they are well qualified to do their jobs and will pass on to GP if necc.

dmo - I am astounded at the cheek of your dr's receptionist! I hope you will mention it when you do see the dr.

what i dont get is the doctors that train for years then end up being a gp's recepionist
i phoned docs yesterday as i have been fainting for 3 days had ear ache etc etc recepionost said no appointments till monday than wanted me to tell her my symtoms and told me to rest and drink plenty as its a virus

I'll see your and raise you a

Better an NP than a 'cleverer' newly-rotated SHO anytime.

Everybody will have anecdotes but I maintain its a cost saving exercise and when it comes to my children's health I want them to see a doctor and not a over promoted nurse.
And yes, if you are clever enough to go to medical school you are unlikely to want to be a nurse. I am not disrespecting nurses. They have their role but should not be considered cheap doctors.

NP's are highly specialised nurses and have a much greater knowledge base and experience in the particular area that they may be working in than the rotating DR(junior doc).
NP's have undergone extensive training normally to masters level. They are not always cheaper as they are senior nurses and do get paid more than some DR's.
Sometimes even the "cleverest" DR may miss a diagnosis as they are only human!It's just hard when it's a member of your family.

one enormous prob if np are too overused is that they simply cannot have been trained in spotting all the unusual illnesses you or your children might have but which have similar symptoms to comon or garden illnessses. that's of course what a gp has received training in - yes, they might still miss it, but that's a whole other issue.when it comes to my kids, i'd rather they saw a paed as happens elsewhere

that doesn;t make sense..cleverer so better at diagnosing things?

being a doctor does not, by default ,make you more clever than a nurse...

i have met some fantastic doctors, one not so great who misdiagnosed by crohns disease as piles , so medical school does not always mean 'cleverer'

If Hewitt is in favour, then it's because they're cheaper not better. She is only interested in the bottom financial line.

cleverer so better at diagnosing things?

"normal" nurses do a 3yr degree, then its another 18months (I think) to become a NP but I believe they need to have been nursing for at least 5 years

cleverer so better at diagnosing things?

We see our NP a lot. She's great. Can prescribe too. Knows all about my dc medical history. Its better seeing her than a different doctor each time.
They ask when you book the appointment if it can be dealt with by the nurse and it usually can. If she needs to get doctors advice than she calls them in. She was fantastic when my dd was ill and she admitted her to hospital.

i thought nurses did a 3 or 4 year degree...am i wrong.? of course doctors are cleverer... how odd

They have their place but don't be fooled, just because they have done a course that doesn't make them expert. Doctors have been to medical school for considerable length of time and are lets face it, cleverer!Nurses are there to care and that's incredibly important and I think this merging of the roles does patients a diservice.

I'd be happy to see a nurse practitioner.

Although I don't think all doctors are crap.