# 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:** 2
**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 30, 2019, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/21 "2019-09-30T14:55:05Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > What the hell does Japan have to do with this shit? You hate foreigners, got it but keep your fucking stereotypes straight. Where the hell did you get that I hate foreigners? And the Japanese stereotype is HOW SHE WAS FUCKING DRESSED! As you, of all people, should be familiar, since there are shops over there that cater to that crowd. My friends and family, all Japanophiles, knew exactly what I was talking about based on my description and provided the term AND added that it was generic because several groups go for variations on that look. I was surprised that a medical person dressed in an unusual manner, like a costume, came in long past the usual hours, made a cursory inspection – she only checked my heartbeat in one location instead of four – and left. We spoke some, but not much as her English was limited in both directions. It was an odd visit that I related as accurately as I could; I don’t exaggerate when I tell stories about this place because the reality is so weird. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/22 "2019-09-30T15:06:20Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The lil’wrekker reports it’s called ‘Ganguro’ I thought the most noticeable feature for Ganguro is their fake tans. I’m assuming the OP would have mentioned that if the PA he encountered one. ---
**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 30, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/23 "2019-09-30T15:06:48Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > 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) That could be what they said or meant. I was still trying to figure out which doctor she works for. “Your doctor,” they replied. “But which one? I have many.” “Your doctor.” I gave up because at 9pm on a Saturday staff here is catch as catch can. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/24 "2019-09-30T15:44:48Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > That could be what they said or meant. I was still trying to figure out which doctor she works for. > > “Your doctor,” they replied. > > “But which one? I have many.” > > “Your doctor.” > > I gave up because at 9pm on a Saturday staff here is catch as catch can. Considering the place you’re in, are you sure she didn’t think you said “witch doctor”? 😃 ---
**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, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/25 "2019-09-30T15:49:39Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I thought the most noticeable feature for Ganguro is their fake tans. I’m assuming the OP would have mentioned that if the PA he encountered one. You’re probably right. I looked on Google and I have to say that phenomenon is very strange. Those girls have way too much time on their hands. I don’t care what their ethnicity is. The OP described an ‘adult’ dressed like this in a professional capacity. Nope. That’s all kinda wrong. Tan or no Tan. ---
**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 30, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/26 "2019-09-30T16:18:59Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > 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. I didn’t say I didn’t like it. It’s a cute look; aggressively, purposely cute. I just found it disarming at that time and worn by a medical professional on rounds. I’m used to business semi-casual, often with a white coat to indicate status so they aren’t mistaken for nurses or CNAs and asked to do some work. 😉 As for my heart, that inspection sufficed. See, I just got a call from my cadiologisit’s office reminding me that I’m due for another visit. The same guy who told me my echocardiogram was normal. The same guy who was out of earshot when I said, "My echo is normal. My pulse is normal. My BP hovers around 116/56. Why do I need a cardiologist? " ---
**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 30, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/27 "2019-09-30T16:38:55Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Considering the place you’re in, are you sure she didn’t think you said “witch doctor”? 😃 😃 People ask why I’m still here. They have me over a barrel. They can’t let me go home until I can get around better or I would be doing it against medical advice, which eliminates any other home from ever daring to take me in because their insurance won’t let them. I’m getting only restorative therapy because Medicaid won’t pay for more proper PT, so I’m pushing my fifteen minutes on the Omnicycle to build up my legs. I think I’ll max out the effort setting today and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/28 "2019-09-30T16:53:27Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > There are Physician Assistants, who are not Medical Doctors. When I went to ER a couple years ago I was seen by a PA, not an MD. The prescription was ‘electronically signed’ by an MD in Pleasanton, CA, some 900 miles away. I guess the hospital is was in didn’t have any they could rustle up. Cost $10,000 for the hospital charges anyway, and another grand for the PA. ---
**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, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/29 "2019-09-30T17:05:58Z")
The first time they told me I’d be seeing a P.A., I thought it meant pathologist. I told them I wasn’t dead yet:) My diabetic clinic has N.P.s, they are all excellent. Love them. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/30 "2019-09-30T18:00:48Z")
Different states have different… um… standards. My friend’s wife is an RN but she only has an Associate’s Degree. It’s still the same RN a BSN or MSN has. I used to see a CRNP (Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner) who wrote my Rx’s but the Dr had to sign. Now I see an APN (Advanced Practice Nurse) who signs my Rx’s herself. So I did some research. An APN is a RN with an MSN who has taken further AP training and has been certified. An PA (Physician’s Assistant) is an APN with more training. Somewhere in there you get nurse specialists, like Nurse Anesthesiologists. I understand the first PAs were discharged US Army Special Forces Medical Sergeants that the Army had certified to do any surgical procedure except opening the cranium. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/31 "2019-09-30T18:41:43Z")
Here in the Middle of Nowhere part of NE AZ, there are MDs of general and specialist types. Even some DOs. A new resident looking to establish a Primary Care Provider (that is “insurance-speak”) will most likely end up with a PA or NP. Mr VOW and I are falling apart. In SCal, before we retired, we had an MD for our PCP, and a slew of specialist MDs that we saw regularly for our ailments. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all PAs and NPs. At various times of our lives, we have sought care and treatment from these folks. For overall care, though, we prefer MDs. BUT…because we are problem children in our Golden Years, and because continuity of care is an under-appreciated and undervalued commodity, we have elected to keep our doctors in SCal. We are more than willing to make the 549 mile trip (one way) three times a year. Our pharmacy is mail order, so there are no glaring problems with prescriptions. And we’ve used the local ER as any emergency has arisen. It’s not perfect. But for now, it works for us. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/32 "2019-09-30T19:44:19Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > 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. Actually there are standards of behavior that everyone who comes into a patient’s room should follow, including introducing yourself, identifying your position, stating what you are going to do and why. It’s not that hard of a standard to meet. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/33 "2019-09-30T20:44:40Z")
> [@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. 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? I was thinking Meganekko, but it looks like glasses are their defining characteristic. Perhaps [this page](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/AnimeFanSpeak) can be of assistance. ---
**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, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/34 "2019-09-30T21:43:18Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > An APN is a RN with an MSN who has taken further AP training and has been certified. An PA (Physician’s Assistant) is an APN with more training. PAs are not nurses (save for one I knew, who went to both PA school and nursing school and ended up as both a PA and NP). PAs do not go to nursing school for their degree, but take rather specialized PA curricula. They are licensed under the auspices of most states Medical Board, not Nursing Board. I knew one PA who was a radiology tech, and got his PA license just by taking the PA exam (an option no longer offered, AIUI). ---
**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, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/35 "2019-09-30T21:56:20Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Actually there are standards of behavior that everyone who comes into a patient’s room should follow, including introducing yourself, identifying your position, stating what you are going to do and why. Sounds reasonable, but is there anything in those standards about not wearing long braids and an “aggressively cute” Japanese “mode of dress”? Because that seems to be what the OP was most concerned about. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/36 "2019-09-30T22:27:40Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Sounds reasonable, but is there anything in those standards about not wearing long braids and an “aggressively cute” Japanese “mode of dress”? Because that seems to be what the OP was most concerned about. OK, even though I get sick of people judging women on their appearance instead of their expertise, I’m going to tentatively side with the OP here because this isn’t about her attractiveness but about professionalism in dress. The PA is probably quite competent, but it doesn’t engender confidence when either a male or female medical professional dresses to in a really, really frivolous way. Put it this way: if I got on a plane and glimpsed the pilot dressed in a Paw Patrol costume or went into court and found my attorney dressed as a mermaid, I’d seriously consider taking another flight or getting a new attorney. Of course, if the PA came in that late, maybe she was out having fun and got called in to check **dropzone**. No, wait, he said the nurses told him she always rounds at that time. People always get squiffy about judging someone by her appearance, and ordinarily I’m one of them. Probably not this time, though. ---
**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, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/37 "2019-09-30T22:41:52Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > OK, even though I get sick of people judging women on their appearance instead of their expertise, I’m going to tentatively side with the OP here because this isn’t about her attractiveness but about professionalism in dress. If there’s a rule about, say, wearing a white coat or hospital scrubs or whatever when interacting with patients, and the PA in question violated that rule, I’d definitely agree with you. But if there’s no official dress code, then I don’t see why merely having long braids and cutesy colorful clothes should be considered bizarre enough to be “unprofessional”. > [@nelliebly](#): > > Put it this way: if I got on a plane and glimpsed the pilot dressed in a Paw Patrol costume or went into court and found my attorney dressed as a mermaid, I’d seriously consider taking another flight or getting a new attorney. Well, “Paw Patrol” and “mermaid” are **costumes** , while “Harajuku” is a fashion style for street wear. Sure, there are extreme/performance versions of Harajuku that would count as “costumes”, but the OP’s description of “long braids, loud clothes, and backpacks” doesn’t sound really out there. ---
**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 30, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/38 "2019-09-30T22:46:53Z")
“Concerned with” is too strong. “Amused by” is better; “mildly freaked out by considering the circumstances,” is better still. I have no concerns about her professional qualifications and admire her understanding of the barest minimum she needs to do to bill for the visit. It’s the American Way. 😃 ---
**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 30, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/39 "2019-09-30T22:58:29Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Of course, if the PA came in that late, maybe she was out having fun and got called in to check **dropzone**. No, wait, he said the nurses told him she always rounds at that time. People always get squiffy about judging someone by her appearance, and ordinarily I’m one of them. Probably not this time, though. I described her to other people and they instantly knew who I meant, added that she always dresses like that, and some even said, “Oh yeah, she’s your doctor.” I will be ready when next we meet. Y’all and my kids will drag me into the 21st Century if it kills me. ---
**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, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007/40 "2019-09-30T23:07:05Z")
I think most settings of the medical variety probably have a dress code of some sort. Even if it’s just a white jacket. I’m thinking of a young woman who was a teller at my bank. I liked her because she got on with the business at hand, no chatty cute talk. I went there one day and she wasn’t around. Ok, maybe a day off. Next few times she wasn’t there. I finally asked another teller what happened to Anna. She was fired because she dyed her hair purple. I poo-poo’d that. The teller then told me it was in their dress code. The next time I see Anna she’s working in a grocery store. No purple hair. I asked her about it. She said they insisted she cover up the color or no job. Jeez. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-my-doctors-other-pa-it-was-confusing/841007.md?page=3)