Doctor Vs Nurse Practitioners

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  • Mavericksmom
    Mavericksmom Member Posts: 635
    edited November 2019

    I have been officially passed off to the NP, who is very young and I don't even know where she went to school. I personally feel less hopeful of her catching a recurrence early but I can't fight the system. Maybe after I see her a few times I will become more confident in her abilities. I am going to try to at least keep my appointments for the next few years, after that I don't know.

    I never was never told I had a hernia. I think I have one, but the PA said he didn't think it was one and no other doctor will even feel the area in question as they don't want to step on the PS's toes! If I made an appointment with my PS, I would end up with the same PA who said it wasn't a hernia. Next time I see my PCP, I will try to remember to ask him. I am pretty sure he would at least check the area. I just don't know when I will see him again.

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November 2019

    When I was seeing my oncologist I had chest and axilla exams every 3 months and then he relied on me mentioning any other concerns. If I had a different type of pain somewhere that lasted 2 weeks or more then scans would be ordered. After being discharged from onc (he sees patients for 2 years post treatment) I saw my GP at the time who basically ignored most things or attributed any complaints I had to anxiety. I switched to NP and have since felt more secure than with either the onc (not a great personality but good otherwise) or GP.

    She has been very attentive for any concerns and has done 3 month physical checks (much more thoroughly than I had had before) and has ordered scans and referred to specialists (gastric, cardiac, internal med) so I feel confident that any recurrence will be found and I feel listened to and have an actual relationship with her. I know this is one person and not representative of the NP profession in general. But we all know shitty general practitioners and oncologists so I feel I am pretty lucky.

    god, i do go on.

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  • Mavericksmom
    Mavericksmom Member Posts: 635
    edited November 2019

    Wrenn, thank you! I hope I have the same experience with my oncology NP. I met her at my last visit and she was very nice. At least I know she is who I will be following up with from now on. My biggest concern was not knowing who I would be seeing as all appointments were listed under the doctor’s name

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited November 2019

    Mavericksmom, I hope you like her. That would bother me to not know who I was seeing. When I am referred to a specialist I always worry about how they will be. It is stressful.

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  • Mavericksmom
    Mavericksmom Member Posts: 635
    edited November 2019

    wrenn, I’m glad that you would be bothered by having an appointment and not knowing if you would see a doctor or PA or NP. I thought it was just me! During my healing issues from the DIEP reconstruction, I would prepare questions for my PS and then then the PA would walk in and it would throw me off and I would leave without asking all my questions.

    I am essentially done with treatment now. I stopped taking the Letrozole after 6 months, but will continue with follow up appointments. I really don’t have any questions now but I assume that over time I will.

    I would prefer to have all my follow ups with the NP I have been assigned to.As of now they want me to switch back and forth between the oncology NP and the BS. The breast surgeon is the one who denied me a BMX. I don’t feel he listens to me so I would feel better just seeing the oncology NP

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited November 2019

    The hospital where I went for treatment wanted me to rotate through BS,RO,MO every 4 months. I decided right away I didn't want to see my BS and I talked it over with the RO and he said it was up to me. I asked my MO if I could just see the NP there every 4 months and he said that was fine.....it was up to me. If you really don't want to see the BS talk it over with the NP that you like. I'm sure it won't be a problem. I think they just want to make sure you do some kind of follow up.

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  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited November 2019

    Mavericksmom I too prefer to know who I'm seeing.

    I hadn't realized that other places would be so lackadaisical about that, and count myself fortunate that where I go, I do know who I'm seeing. There's also a big sign posted that says something about "you may see the PA today. If you prefer to see your doctor, please schedule an appointment at the front desk," something like that.

    Wish your place was more like where I go.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited November 2019

    I'm 10 years out and I have always seen my oncologist. In fact, he is still seeing me 2 years after I finished arimidex and he see's me every 6 months. I'm so lucky.

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  • Mavericksmom
    Mavericksmom Member Posts: 635
    edited November 2019

    You are lucky Cowgirl! I have an appointment with the oncology NP in three months and I am going to ask her If she can see me for all my follow up visits. I really need consistency. I know she does work closely with my MO who I really like! If something comesup I know she would consult with my MO.

    I really need to relax and realize that I am post treatment and the NP is qualified to do follow up care with me. I did find something about her on the hospital website and she really does have great credentials. I am in good hands.

    It still bothers me that I have the same co-pay as I would if I saw my MO, but that is an insurance issue and in the scheme of things, not a big deal

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