hms217 Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 I'm sure many of you are familiar with the sometimes bizarre questions or comments that we receive from the general public. I'd like to compile a running list of the things you have heard in the past and if you have a good way to respond feel free to share that too! For example: "So are you like a medical assistant?", "PA... is that accounting?", "When will you be applying to med school?", etc. Share all the funny/sad/annoying questions you've been asked and any other experiences or pet peeves you might have about how we are perceived Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted July 12, 2018 Moderator Share Posted July 12, 2018 "when do I see the real doctor" " So what will you be when you grow up" "my cousin did that too. took her 6 months at community college" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICUPA Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 "You're going to PA school because you couldn't get into med school, right?" "Wow you know a lot, you should go to med school after this!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAtoMD Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Still a student but when I saw a chest pain on my ER rotation and introduced myself I got “oh I must not be a very urgent patient” then continued to ask to be seen by a doctor only. She then proceeded to roll her eyes as my PA preceptor came in after I presented to him. so this may be because i am student but her initial reaction to my preceptor makes me think otherwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karebear12892 Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Haha, great topic! A few in particular come to mind... I'm a 25 year old female. Walked into the exam room with my preceptor on an ER rotation and the male patient looked right at me and said, "sweetheart, could you grab me a wet washcloth and a glass of water with no ice?" When he saw the look on my face, he said, "oh honey, I didn't mean to offend you. I'm not asking you because you're a woman, I'm asking you because you're a nurse." *smh* My favorite response so far to "I'm a PA student" - "wow, that's so cool, so you're going to be a physician's apprentice?" Lol Just yesterday, I was riding the elevator and a patient turned to me and said, "doctor or nurse?" When I told him "neither, I'm a PA student," his response was, "oh, so you're going to be an LPN?" *smh again* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 My default now when people look confused or ask "so what is a PA?" Me: "You know when you go to a doctor's office, but you don't actually get to see the doctor?" Them: "Yeah, hahaha" Me: "That other person you see is me." (Or I just give the slow double thumbs up at myself) I laugh, they laugh, it's a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbum Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 The most common thing I hear is about some great experience people have had with PAs in the past. It’s a tad bit irritating when they sound as if they’re surprised that a PA would be competent, caring, attentive, etc. but it’s nice that people seem to have mostly positive impressions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 6 hours ago, fishbum said: The most common thing I hear is about some great experience people have had with PAs in the past. It’s a tad bit irritating when they sound as if they’re surprised that a PA would be competent, caring, attentive, etc. but it’s nice that people seem to have mostly positive impressions. It is mostly just a psychological phenomenon to try and "connect" with the information/story (especially when it isn't super common). People do it subconsciously, tell them you're a pilot and "oh I knew a pilot when I lived wherever, he/she was pretty cool." Tell them you're a nurse, doctor, or a lawyer and they might just leave it because it is "well understood/common." (Or at least they think they understand it well). My 2 cents anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeful2015 Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 “A physician assistant student? That’s wonderful, good for you! Do you think you’ll ever go all the way?” pt: What kind of student did you say you are? me: physician assistant blah blah blah pt: good for you! So what kind of nurse will you be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayv1 Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I'm still in undergrad but very vocal about my desire to be a PA. I always pre-empt them and say "they're typically the person you see besides the doctor". Saves any annoying questions. Turns out that most people don't know what a PA is or realize they've talked to one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spotty Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 On 7/11/2018 at 11:28 PM, Anachronist said: My default now when people look confused or ask "so what is a PA?" Me: "You know when you go to a doctor's office, but you don't actually get to see the doctor?" Them: "Yeah, hahaha" Me: "That other person you see is me." (Or I just give the slow double thumbs up at myself) I laugh, they laugh, it's a good time. I'm so going to use that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.