The majority of doctors in my area refer to their medical assistants as nurses. I feel this is no different than calling a PA a doctor. Most medical offices do not hire LVNs any more, and MAs are used just like LVNs were/are. I recently received a flu shot where the skin was pulled up as with a SQ injection. I did not feel it. I wonder what size needle was used, and most of all, I wonder if the injection will be effective.
My brother was recently told by a MA that the side effect he was experiencing from a new medication had nothing to do with the med. He insisted on an appointment and the med was immediately stopped. MAs are apparently not trained in how to give injections, and they have no educational background for talking to patients about medical issues.
This is going to become a real problem in the future. Most people do not know if they are getting misinformation or getting an injection correctly. I do want to give credit to the MAs who want to learn and do the job correctly. There are some, I am sure. But they should never be called nurse.
Anyone else out there have any stories or opinions on this subject?
