# I met my doctor's other PA. It was confusing. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 29, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007 "2019-09-29T19:34:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/1 "2019-09-29T19:34:30Z")
What do they call those Japanese teeny boppers? You know, with long braids, loud clothes, and backpacks? Next to no English, giggle a lot. One materialized next to my bed at nine last night, checked my heartbeat then vanished. I asked who the hell was that and was told it was my doctor’s physician’s assistant. “No, Anna is a tall, regal blonde.” “That’s her other PA. This one usually comes later at night.” Like a vampire. My oldest says, “Like ten subcultures encourage that mode of dress.” “But she’s a freaking MD!” Glad I wasn’t high. But what are those girls called in Japan? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/2 "2019-09-29T20:09:38Z")
In the US, PAs are not MDs. Is this not true where you are? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/3 "2019-09-29T20:13:25Z")
I dunno. Maybe she needs to pass a spoken English test to get licensed. Or this was the best she could do for now. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/4 "2019-09-29T20:15:47Z")
Kawaii? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/5 "2019-09-29T20:25:35Z")
“Harajuku Girl,” IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/6 "2019-09-29T20:30:16Z")
Are you sure you didn’t fall asleep watching Adult Swim? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/7 "2019-09-29T20:52:36Z")
Dracula on Svengooli had just finished. I was watching Buck Rogers, waiting for Princess Ardala. All my senses were on full alert. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/8 "2019-09-29T23:28:59Z")
“Women”? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/9 "2019-09-29T23:37:42Z")
It’s the term of art for a very childish look. And most are actual girls. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/10 "2019-09-29T23:56:57Z")
When the heck are you getting out of that insane asylum? It sounds like the entire staff couldn’t organize a one car funeral with any success. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/11 "2019-09-30T00:01:33Z")
The lil’wrekker reports it’s called ‘Ganguro’ ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/12 "2019-09-30T01:50:24Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > What do they call those Japanese teeny boppers? You know, with long braids, loud clothes, and backpacks? Next to no English, giggle a lot. Honestly if they know their way around a stethoscope who cares? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/13 "2019-09-30T03:42:01Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > It sounds like the entire staff couldn’t organize a one car funeral with any success. Is there any reason to think that this particular staff member didn’t do a competent job of checking the OP’s heartbeat? AFAICT that’s all she was required to do, and the OP’s only complaint is that he doesn’t like the way she dresses and/or wears her hair. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/14 "2019-09-30T04:04:36Z")
The OP is at the mercy of these people. He can’t really leave on his own steam. He’s not getting the PT or care he needs. He almost got someone elses meds once. The staff are every nationality and ethic background. Speaking in languages he doesn’t understand. They don’t understand him. He doesn’t even get proper meals. The place is a disgrace and needs to be investigated. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/15 "2019-09-30T05:22:19Z")
What the hell does Japan have to do with this shit? You hate foreigners, got it but keep your fucking stereotypes straight. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/16 "2019-09-30T13:27:08Z")
There are Physician Assistants, who are not Medical Doctors. And now, in some states there are also Assistant Physicians, people who have gotten the MD degree, but did not get sufficient post-grad training (aka residency) to get a medical license. A few states allow them to practice as assistants to licensed physicians, but they’re Assistant Physicians, NOT Physician Assistants. [https://www.msma.org/assistant-physician-law.html](https://www.msma.org/assistant-physician-law.html) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/17 "2019-09-30T13:54:22Z")
Whose idiotic idea was it to create a title of “assistant physician” that’s bound to get confused with “physician assistant”? As it is, judging from the third post in this thread, some don’t understand what a physician assistant is and already think it’s a consolation prize for a failed would-be physician. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/18 "2019-09-30T14:12:44Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Whose idiotic idea was it to create a title of “assistant physician” that’s bound to get confused with “physician assistant”? As it is, judging from the third post in this thread, some don’t understand what a physician assistant is and already think it’s a consolation prize for a failed would-be physician. Throw in nurse practitioners and you’ve got a whole medley of not-doctors to confuse people! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/19 "2019-09-30T14:26:59Z")
Nursing is a whole nother ball of wax; you’ve got NPs, as you mentioned. Plus you’ve got RNs, LPNs, CNAs and probably some others. But at least those use different words to name them, not just the same two words in a different order. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/20 "2019-09-30T14:33:50Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Throw in nurse practitioners and you’ve got a whole medley of not-doctors to confuse people! AFAIK, there’s not a whole lot of practical difference between NPs and PAs in terms of what they are licensed to do (and not do). The real difference is in the educational/licensing track you follow to get to the degrees, where a PA is pretty much a deliberate, end-stage degree that you go to PA school for, while a NP is sort of like the final level of nurse licensing, starting with CNA, and moving up through LPN, RN and ending up as a APRN (advance practice registered nurse), meaning your nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. You can go straight for the APRN careers, but I’m pretty sure you get a RN in there somewhere. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007.md?page=2)