|
|
| Your Doctor’s Office, Demystified | Questions |
|
Frequently Asked Questions These frequently asked questions complement the Prepared Patient feature article Your Doctor’s Office, Demystified. Everyone in my doctor’s office seems to be wearing scrubs. How do I tell who’s who?It is easy to think that mainly nurses wear scrubs, or that all doctors wear white coats. But uniforms do not indicate title or level of education. Better to ask each person what their role is than to make mistakes. What is the difference between a medical assistant and a nurse?Nurses have more education than medical assistants and are qualified to assess patients and offer medical advice, while medical assistants are not. Medical assistants often help with basic tests and procedures and rely on nurses and doctors to make clinical care decisions. What is the difference between an LPN and a RN?An LPN, or licensed practical nurse, has a year of medical training. An RN, or registered nurse, has two to four years of medical training and may specialize in a specific area of care. What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a “regular” nurse?Nurses have an LPN or RN degree and work under the direction of a physician. Nurse practitioners are a kind of advanced practice nurse, or APN. APNs have a master’s degree in nursing and can sometimes prescribe medications and work independently of doctors. What does a physician’s assistant do?A physician’s assistant, or PA, is licensed to practice medicine under a physician’s direction. A PA can perform exams, treat minor injuries and interpret lab test results. In some cases, they may prescribe medicine. PA training usually takes two to three years. PAs usually have master’s degrees, although some programs award undergraduate bachelor’s degrees and PAs can continue on to doctorate-level studies. What is the difference between an MD and a DO?Both MDs, medical doctors, and DOs, doctors of osteopathic medicine, are physicians who attend eight years of school and up to eight years of internship and residency training. The difference is that DO training includes a special focus on skeletal and muscular conditions. If I can’t tell what kind of clinician I’m talking to, is it OK to ask?Absolutely! In most practices, clinicians will wear name tags including their degree (L.P.N, R.N., M.D., etc.) which will tell you whether they are a nurse, doctor, and so forth. But if they don’t, it’s fine to ask. I talked to three or four clinicians during my doctor’s visit. How do I know who to call about test results or questions?Because every practice is different, you should ask about how you’ll receive lab results, if and when a follow-up visit is required and what you should do if you have new questions or concerns. If I’m unhappy or confused about an aspect of my doctor’s office, like the amount of time I spent waiting or the rudeness of a staff member, who can I talk to?The practice manager or administrator is a general manager who makes sure the practice runs smoothly. He or she can help you resolve many concerns about the office and help you get the answers.
|
Published by Prepared Patient is published by the Health Behavior News Service. TERMS OF USE: Any reproduction, partial use or adaptation of Prepared Patient features requires credit to the “Health Behavior News Service, part of the Center for Advancing Health.” © 2011, All Rights Reserved
|
