[NPInfo] 2 PAs answer the Pennsylvania MDs roundtable.

[David Mittman]

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Stephen Lyons MS PA-C
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|Report Abuse|#156 min ago

It is clear to me that Dr. Fox has no or little experience working  
with PAs-in the ER,in the OR or on the battlefield. Nor does he  
apparently talk with his colleagues who employ PAs and NPs by the  
hundreds in their own practices. Many published studies confirm that  
PAs and NPs provide care equal in quality with that of physicians, for  
the services that they provide. Of course, PAs only provide services  
that are delegated to them by their MD supervisors. I assume that Dr.  
Fox feels that all of his colleagues who supervise PAs and collaborate  
with NPs have taken on those responsibilities with
"minor leaguers" who provide a "lesser quality of care." I'm  
disappointed by his condescending attitude, which certainly is not  
evidence based.
Dave Mittman
Join the community
Livingston, NJ
1 min ago

I think Dr. Fox slighted two professions, perhaps without meaning to.
He says that NPs and PAs are like going to see "minor leaguers" and  
obviously provide inferior care. I can not comprehend how a family  
physician who represents a specialty who is often looked down upon by  
other physicians can say this.
Dr. Fox, I have been a PA for 33 years. I was around when the AAGP  
became the AAFP and I helped in a small way to help organize FPs as I  
believed they should have their own specialty.
Dr. Fox, what I do I do very well. I have saved lives as well as  
uncovered diseases no one else did. Hardly minor leagues. Maybe a  
player who will never get that 20 million dollar a year contract but  
still if you hit 100 grounders to me, I'll field 99 cleanly. And I'll  
generally have the fans smiling when my at bat is finished. I know  
that may not count to you, but it does to them.
Why take a swipe at NPs and PAs? There are no studies that show our  
care to be inferior and many that show it to be quite good. I know you  
know that. I also know you believe in the evidence.
NPs and PAs want to work together with physicians. If you want to keep  
putting us down, don't be surprised if we don't trust you when you  
attempt to really understand what being part of a team means.
PAs and NPs can help much in the healthcare crisis we are in. We are  
content to do the routine things well, like the Japanese ball players.  
And maybe win a Gold Medal along the way.
I am sorry you have a need to be a major leaguer and to keep others in  
the minors. Not team like at all.
Dave Mittman, PA
Livingston, NJ