Jan Manarite, November 2024
We all know that we need doctor’s appointments. We know how to make them, when to make them (well, sometimes), and have done it many times.
But did you know?…you can also make a direct appointment with your doctor’s Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) or Physician’s Assistant (PA)? They are sometimes more available than your physician. The ARNP or PA will also communicate with your doctor about their appointment with you. You can usually make the appointment in-person, or with Telehealth.
But why would you do that? Why would you make an appointment with someone other than your doctor? Here are a few reasons:
(1) Nurses and PA’s often have a tendency to understand side effects and symptoms better. They sometimes have more training in how a patient feels and how to ask them about it. They sometimes have more time than the busy doctor, and they are trained to do hands-on testing, which initiates conversations about how you’re feeling. Years, ago, I started suggesting that people “Talk to the doctor about the treatment, and the nurse about the side effects.”
(2) Patients often have a tendency to open up to nurses more. This is essential in working their cancer journey the way they really want to. Several years into my husband’s 13 year journey with metastatic prostate cancer, I noticed that he opened up to a nurse, differently than a doctor, and differently than me. I was his advocate – but I wasn’t his nurse. He needed one.
(3) ARNP’s and PA’s can order prescriptions, treatments, imaging, and other tests. They can help you understand test results, and perform many of the services a physician can. They will discuss these things with your doctor, also.
(4) According to the American Medical Association (AMA), there’s a shortage of doctors in the USA (ref), including urologists, radiation oncologists (ref), and medical oncologists (ref), which are the 3 most common physicians that prostate cancer patients see. “PAs and APRNs are physician extenders that can provide the same high quality care and caring to all patients. They are a valuable resource for doctors carrying a heavy patient load.” AMA, 2022
So, which doctors have an ARNP or PA?
*Urologists/surgeons – Not usually. Ask. Some community urology offices only have surgical nurses. Some advanced urology offices have incorporated ARNP’s. Ask.
*Radiation Oncologists – Yes, usually. Ask. Many radiation oncology clinics utilize Physician’s Assistants also.
*Medical Oncologists – YES. Ask. Medical oncologists typically have an ARNP or PA that works directly with them.
Primary Care Physician/ Family Doctor – often. Ask.
All cancer treatments are FDA approved on 2 things – Benefit (cancer response), and Risk (side effects, adverse events, etc) (ref). Treatment decisions must be made on both, and the patient needs to be heard in relation to side effects, priorities, and desires. Remember to make an appointment with your physicians’ Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant when you need to, especially when side effects and symptoms are a concern.
Working the medical system is a big part of the cancer journey…there are ways to make it work for you, the patient and the caregiver.
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