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| The Best Doctors Issues of NY & NJ Magazines |
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by Dave Mittman, PA - December 21, 2009
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 I have looked over the issues of New York Magazine and in NJ, New Jersey Magazine that covers “The Best Doctors of.....”. These issues are done well and pick the best physicians in each specialty in the city or state. I am sure if you have a city or regional magazine, there is one done every year for your area. In NJ which is a much smaller state than NY, there are a different class of academic medical center so the NJ issue was less institutionally focused. Regardless, most physicians listed are excellent clinicians and are voted on by their fellow physicians. In many cases they are also excellent businesspeople who work with NPs and PAs hand in hand every single day. These issues offer all physicians (not just the ones who make the list) the chance to buy a special ad in a special section in that issue. Many physicians do. There are full, half, quarter and even eighth page ads available that have a picture of the sponsoring physician or group of physicians professionally taken with a small write up of the practice and what makes it special. If you know the docs around your area well, it is an interesting read both by checking who was picked and who is advertising.
What struck me the most is that although the care we give in some of these practices is instrumental to the success of the practice, we are invisible in these issues. For all of the bluster, the PAs or NPs who work with many if not the majority of these physicians, do not have their pictures or names listed. I understand not getting listed as one of the “Best Doctors” as other physicians are very, very unlikely to vote in an NP or PA. But what hurts a bit is that we are not in the ads. To the public we stay invisible. I would say that if you work for a physician that has a “group “picture with their physician staff, and your position is secure, ask that you be included and your title listed in it. I know there was not one of us in the NJ issue and I did not see us in the NY issue either. Remember it’s a sponsored ad that the practices buy. Inclusion of us by even 25% of the practices in these issues would send a significant signal to the public that we are important members of the professional staff and also send a message to other physicians that it’s time to include a PA or an NP in their practice. We are invisible on so many fronts. This is apart of public and professional relations we can, and should, do something about. If you have time on your hands or are looking for a thesis subject, call all the “Best Doctors” and ask if they work with a PA or NP? My guess is that the results would so high it would surprise many.
I am sick of being invisible.
What do you think?
Dave
Comment here: http://clinician1.com/blog/david_mittman_view/the_best_doctors_issues_of_ny&_nj_magazines/
 Dave has been a PA, and later NP, leader for thirty years. He strongly believes that NPs and PAs must work together to insure a better future for both professions. Most recently Dave has been busy launching another dream; Clinician 1, the first internet community for PAs and NPs. In October 2008, Dave was honored by the New Jersey State society of PAs with its “Lifetime Achievement Award”.
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| boatdrinks27 (PA) (NJ) |
on 20 Jan 2010 at 1:20 pm |
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@ Heath
Thank You! |
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| Heath (Chicago) |
on 13 Jan 2010 at 8:25 pm |
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The "Pimping of the PA" article was written by "GJ Christie PAC"
I also agree, a very well written thoughtful piece, very motivating.. although I thought I read it in the LA Times. |
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| boatdrinks27 (PA) (NJ) |
on 13 Jan 2010 at 11:10 am |
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Regarding "The Pimping of the PA" article, does anyone have the authors name or a weblink?
I have Goggled, Yahoo'd, and WSJ'd it and can not find it.
Thanks! |
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| boatdrinks27 (PA) (NJ) |
on 13 Jan 2010 at 9:21 am |
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When I first graduated, I joined a 30+ year established FP as my first job. During my interview, and subsequent employment negotiations, I insisted that a new sign and branding effort be initiated to introduce me to the practice (2 MD practice).
I made it a condition of my employment. They did it. Within a month there was a brand new sign with my name and "PA-C" designation clearly displayed for the public.
My point is, if PA/NP's don't step up and account for our own well-being, professional stature, and value as clinicians and employees; don't expect doctors to do it for you... |
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| PA to MD (California) |
on 13 Jan 2010 at 8:20 am |
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If this doesn't wake PA's up regarding a doctoral degree in the PA profession and using the title "Doctor" I don't know what will. I asked the California medical board if Nurse practiioners with a DNP,Doctorate of Nursing practice could use the title "Doctor" and this was their official response. Read it and weep. You may want to let your local PA agencies and the NCCPA read this also. This is an official response. Very confusing in my estimation but I am sure a little politicking will clear up the credential creep and the powerful NP's will gain Doctoral distinction.
From: Webmaster
Subject: Re: So DNPs(Doctor of Nursing practice) can be called "doctor" in the state of California...........
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2007, 10:42 AM
This is in response to your e-mail communications. As you are probably aware, there are doctoral programs in nursing (see link http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/doctoral-programs-nursing.php). As such, nurses could refer to themselves as doctors. Nonetheless, under Business and Professions Code section 2054 (below), nurses could be in violation of this section is they appear or imply that they are a doctor.
2054. (a) Any person who uses in any sign, business card, or
letterhead, or, in an advertisement, the words "doctor" or "physician," the letters or prefix "Dr.," the initials "M.D.," or any other terms or letters indicating or implying that he or
she is a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner under the terms of this or any other law, or that he or she is entitled to practice hereunder, or who represents or holds himself or herself out as a physician and surgeon, physician, surgeon, or practitioner under the terms of this or any other law, without having at the time of so doing a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended certificate as a physician and surgeon under this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
I hope this helps.
Webmaster@medbd.ca.gov |
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| dexter (nyc) |
on 13 Jan 2010 at 7:47 am |
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| Our profession needs to realize we are in an incredible leverage position right now and futuristically. Face it guys they don't have enough providers to manage the onslaught of medical need. We should be creative and demand our own licensure status and reimbursement structure. The time is now. What is our AAPA doing about this..? You have some of the most compassionate competent providers in PA's that have had to stand in the shadow of the MD...Well guess what not any more...the loss of MD's nationwide is our gain but we must receive greater lattitude in terms of autonomy and reimbursement..the MD/PA partnership was a great then but not now...the needs of the nation have changed. Our profession has proven itself time and again as a solid soldier in the healthcare arena...we need to demand more than second class status....I did see the article "The Pimping of the PA" referenced by HarvardHockey...very well written and incredibly enlightening...if you haven't read this do so...this guy(a PA) should be leading our organization... |
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| MJ (NY) |
on 09 Jan 2010 at 5:36 pm |
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Some answers: Via health care reform more people will have access to primary care - which in turn will only exacerbate the primary care shortage. Right now is the time, if there ever was a time, to step up and step in to fill this shortage.
A well directed campaign focusing on the real underlying problems is needed to make this happen...
1. Allow PAs to own and operate their own primary care clinic (with an MD hired for supervision.)
2. Adjust PA reimbursement policy.
3. Ease PA supervision requirements once a PA demonstrates "competency".
Know why too many PAs are "used and abused"? Because we let it happen. |
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| Marcia, NP (Pennsylvania) |
on 06 Jan 2010 at 1:00 pm |
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We are getting a new sign in front of our office due to a name change. I asked if my name could be added to the providers on the new sign and they said, "it is the policy of our company to only list MD and DO names on the signs".
haha. I guess I don't matter nearly as much as those other providers, even though I see as many, or more, patients than they do daily. |
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| rosearnp (Seattle) |
on 05 Jan 2010 at 12:33 pm |
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| In Seattle there are 2 competing 'city' magazines. They both have annual "Best Doctors" issues. I have had published letters to the editors of both magazines about the 'invisibility' of NP/PAs in these articles. Although my views were expressed, sadly no changes were made in recognizing our contribution to providing care along side of our MD colleagues; in many cases making it possible for them to be elected 'best doctor'. Speak out, be heard. Step out, be seen. If the President of the United States recognizes out contribution so should the rest of the public. |
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| robinlatta (chicago ) |
on 30 Dec 2009 at 8:16 am |
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| OMG that is hilarious...please send me the authors name and email. My husband is a health science editor for the Chicago ST. |
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| HarvardHockey (Boston) |
on 30 Dec 2009 at 8:12 am |
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If you get a chance one of my fellow PAC's just completed a very funny albeit pointed article entitled "The Pimping of the PA". I believe it will be in the Wall Street Jounal next month.
In short, it addresses the professions identity struggle at a time in healthcare history when they could rescue the system. The article looks at a growing number of institutions, private practices and yes even our "partnering MD's" taking advantage of the professions revenue power. The article references the enormous positive economical impact of PA's to healthcare, institution and office practice and the new found (MD) love for this "work horse" profession in as he states, "I got to get me one of them things" not because of respect for the profession but more about what a PA is capable of producing for his master... the KA-CHING! "They figure we're just happy to be here"!
The article surveyed MD's about what a PA is/does and the majority STILL don't know, but stated they would consider higher one because of the enormous bottom line power they have heard about, roughly 3:1 return on investment and often higher for the same care an MD provides without the "high brow". He quotes a physician as saying , "It's like a dishwasher, once you have one you don't know how you did without it"...A DISHWASHER!! So when you talk about being invisible...you best know your place in that exclusive club and enter/exit via the back door.
The piece definately hit home!! |
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| Theresa (California) |
on 22 Dec 2009 at 10:56 am |
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| The recognition give to PAs and NPs varies across the country. In the Midwest, I encountered great acceptance and respect among ER physician groups and other specialities that hired mid levels. When I came west, the acceptance and respect seemed to lessen, to my surprise. There is even an ad in San Diego that says "seen by MD's not NPs". I think it varies according to how saturated the market is for providers. If you care competition, not part of the income producing team, the reception is a quite chilly from some quarters. It's a shame given the looming deficit of family practice docs. |
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