Physician’s associate introduced as Dr at GP surgery

[Elenor444]

The man I saw introduced himself as “Dr fhdjdj” so I assumed that I’d seen a GP.
Then only after the appointment I found out that my prescription was awaiting approval from a GP and that i’d actually not even seen a GP

should I write and complain?
anyone else been misled?

yes, I won't sign for a PA unless I've seen the patient myself

they don't literally supervise each script - just medicolegally the consultant holds some of the responsibility

Not everyone who goes to the GP is ill/has a disease. Could be they need their ears syringed or be looking for a referal for genetic counselling or something. Even something like a 'sore back' will not necessarily be seen by a doctor- could be a physiotherapist. And it is very insulting to call highly qualified nurse practitioners YTS trainees.

They already do in my health board - can't speak for everyone though. Interestingly in our place, the staff least likely to wears theirs are the senior medial staff.

But using the title “Dr” in a medical setting when you have, for example, a philosophy PhD, is highly misleading and presumably they would be aware that the patient before them would be taking that to mean they are a medical doctor because of the setting. I’ve been in a non medically qualified clinical role and we were always very clear with patients about exactly what are role was and exactly where are expertise started and stopped. It’s really important.

It was definitely a physician associate. I’ve double checked the name on the practice website

Like this

I'm also an Advanced practice Nurse Practitioner who xan prescribe, with a PHD, so could go by Dr. TheVirgin, and do in my non-work life.

However at work (Hospital, not GP) I introduce myself as 'Jane TheVirgin, the Nurse Practitioner caring for you today'. My photo ID is clearly visible and says Nurse Practitioner though I do have a sticker over my surname.

I do think it's misleading. But I'm also not sure what the answer is, because they are legally entitled to use their title and knowing some of the attitudes, wouldn't agree not to.

Maybe if they are a PHD, we change it so they have to have their ID visible, which it should be anyway, and they must introduce themselves as 'Dr. Smith, the Physicians Associate'. Though I do also see if someone isn't clear on the new positions they'd still assume qualified medical Dr, GP and just not know what a Physicians Associate is.

I really don't understand WANTING to be mistaken for a medical doctor in a hospital. I got my PHD for knowledge, I do not want to be as responsible as a medical doctor at all.

Report complain flame on Google reviews. Even if they have a PhD it's completely unacceptable and misleading to call yourself doctor, in a GP SURGERY if you aren't one.

Absolute scam artists.

Most of those patients would be seen by a nurse, though, not a non doctor introducing themselves as a doctor.
It's not a "must be treated by a doctor" thing at all, it's an ability to be fully aware of exactly who you're being treated by thing.

A PP made the excellent point about training non exportable prescribers. It seems that this is what it is about.

My qualification as a healthcare professional is exportable but my prescribing qualification is not. Many countries do not allow my profession to prescribe at all.

Doctors are bound by no such hindrance and their skills are open to the highest bidder (which is not currently the UK). The issue will only get worse as we lose doctors to countries who value them more.

@mycoffeecup 😊 that makes sense. Can see I'm not a doctor, just the mum of one.

I think @HarrietJet is right. So many of the roles and skills which could be pushed down the line were shifted years ago-we've had 25 years of role and skill mix, and the roles exist. PAs is a different case, and with a different political mindset behind it.

So strange there's been so many of these threads lately, always started by a 'new poster'. Is there some sort of campaign going?

Let's hope so. It's scary to think we will not be treated by doctors in the future, but people with a 2 year thing.
We need qualified staff to stay. And they won't if this is not sorted. Fast.

You should complain it's intentionally misleading. You should know who you are seeing and their role.
Some PAs( I don't know if this one) do a one year online doctorate so they can use the Dr title. Being wiling to mislead people to that level does raise probity concerns for me.

Misrepresenting themselves as a medical practitioner is actually a criminal offence under the medical act 1983.

There's a pretty good argument that introducing themselves as doctor, whilst in a medical setting, most people would assume they are a medically qualified doctor registered with the GMC.

So, potentially a criminal offence, and I'd therefore argue that they are not legally entitled to use Dr in a medical setting, unless they qualify the difference, and in fact are legally obliged not to use the term Doctor, unless they explicitly explain that they are a medical doctor.

The thing is though, if one has an ear infection, infected bite, sore toe, etc., a physician's associate is presumably more than adequate, can deal with the routine minor complaints and refer anything more serious to a GP. To be entirely fair one or two of the GP's at my practice are so useless, I imagine a physician's associate may provide a better service.

If it's managed well I think it provides a really useful intermediary service between GP and practice nurse. It's a bit like a legal exec or paralegal dealing with straightforward conveyancing isn't it?

the ones I have worked with massively overprescribe antibiotics for things that don't need them.

I've had this twice at the hospital. Broke my back in 2 places. Asked both of them if they were a doctor. One was an ACP. One was a physio. Neither a Doctor.

That’s very bad, definitely complain.

there was someone in the paper recorder who died after been misdiagnosed by a PA who had misled her into thinking he was a GP. Her family said if she had known it was a PA she’d have gone back when she wasn’t improving but she trusted a “doctor” and didn’t.

This.

They do have a certain level of medical training, but definitely, in a medical setting, introducing yourself as Doctor is a solid case of misleading. There is a big difference in education and training between actual doctors and everyone else working in a medical setting, and anyone who is not a doctor who claims they're all much the same, or even asserts superiority, is to be treated with extreme caution.

I'm in the US, where name tags are very specific about MD/DO vs NP or PA.

I booked in to see the GP when I was having some issues after the birth of my son. When I entered the room, I was greeted with "Hi, I'm XXX, I'm the Physicians Associate".

I didn't know what a PA was as the time. I should have guessed by the name really but in my postpartum haze, I thought it might be below a nurse, so I didn't discuss the problem properly as I didn't know if she could examine me/prescribe/refer me to a specialist etc.

Most of the time, when I ring for an appointment, I get "is the nurse practitioner ok instead?"

Only a doctor should be using the title Dr in a clinical setting, even if they are a PHD.

I can't agree with this tbh.

Do we really expect that psychologists shouldn't use their dr title?

My Trust uses the "hello my name is x and I am y" model, which I think is pretty solid.

Are you trying to be funny? It hasn't worked.
No one approaches a psychologist with a physical problem.