Do You get Upset When you are Called a Physican Extender

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  1. What should we be called??

    • 0
      Physician Extender
    • 13
      Midlevel Provider
    • 0
      Highlevel Provider

13 members have participated

I've been reading up about campaigns to end the term physician extended/midlevel because it has become derogatory terms for NP's and PA's as they suggest we do not provide the highest level of care. It seems like there is a huge fight going on, but in all honesty, I don't really seem to care what term people refer to me as so long as they clarify that I am a Nurse Practitioner (student). I've never really met any physicians or patients who ever say this is [name] the sNP midlevel provider. I've only met people who, not in front of patients, speak about my role as a "midlevel provider" or "extender" which frankly doesn't tick me off. However, I've seen so many other NP's upset at being called such a term.

What are your thoughts? Some have suggested that we be addressed as High Level Provider, but imho that sounds a bit funky.

Yes I do get upset. I am not a physician extender or midlevel provider. I am a nurse practitioner. Terms such as physician extender and midlevel are used by physicians to maintain a caste system, their power and compensation.

How we are referred to is important. Labels do matter. If you disagree just use the N word and see how well it goes over....

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Many of my male veteran pts call me "doc" as a term of respect as they know I'm a vet. I have corrected them but it is a term of respect - they absolutely know I'm not a physician but after ten years I'm not beating a dead horse...

There are just so many bigger issues out there - like independent practice that I see as more important. I am very well-respected by the physicians in my group, I have great autonomy, wonderful co-workers and I enjoy what I do for the most part.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I do have a DNP. But it doesn't bother me in the slighest if patients prefer to call my MSN NP colleague "doctor", that is their choice in my opinion.

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It is meant to be a bit ridiculous.

I attend patients in the hospital. I direct their care. .

Nah, not what I meant to imply. Lots of people entering the room help guide the patient care. My point was that in the hospital (not clinic) the physician is usually the team lead. I work in the ICU and the Intensivist are the final say and I never use the Dr title with our patients. I usually tell them who I am and let them know who I am working with so as not to confuse them. It helps to be clear in the hospital because they interact with many providers and non-providers and can become a bit confusing at times.

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Nah, not what I meant to imply. Lots of people entering the room help guide the patient care. My point was that in the hospital (not clinic) the physician is usually the team lead. I work in the ICU and the Intensivist are the final say and I never use the Dr title with our patients. I usually tell them who I am and let them know who I am working with so as not to confuse them. It helps to be clear in the hospital because they interact with many providers and non-providers and can become a bit confusing at times.

Anyone who has a doctorate should introduce themselves as doctor in hospital setting, period! PT/OT/PharmD/DNP/AuD--you guys/gals have earned your degree. Who cares if patients get confused!

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Anyone who has a doctorate should introduce themselves as doctor in hospital setting, period! PT/OT/PharmD/DNP/AuD--you guys/gals have earned your degree. Who cares if patients get confused!

I doubt that its avoided only as a precaution for confusion. Moreso because of the potential for litigation in the event of an adverse outcome. All that it takes is for one patient to be dissatisfied with an outcome. Plenty of lawyers out there just dying for an opportunity to sue. I've seen what these people do to doctors and NPs in court. They go for the jugular. When they tell a jury that an NP misled or deceived their client into thinking that they are a physician it can be VERY tricky to overcome that argument. As an NP, you cannot disprove their argument---unless you also informed the patient that you are an NP if you use the doctor title to introduce yourself to them. I personally don't do it because I'm not looking forward to getting sued over this. I don't criticize others who choose to do it though.

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Anyone who has a doctorate should introduce themselves as doctor in hospital setting, period! PT/OT/PharmD/DNP/AuD--you guys/gals have earned your degree. Who cares if patients get confused!

I wouldn'''t go so far. I mean a JD or a Ed.D should not be called doctors in a hospital setting because that would be really confusing. But I mean if you earned a doctorate i think we should assume and not disrepect the intelligence of our patients. I'm sure they are well aware of the difference between like a pharmacist doctor, or The Doctor (md), or a NP doctor. People recognize the degree MD/DO and I honestly don't think somone will not recognize that the AuD is not their surgeon.

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