Now that Americans are no longer treated by doctors, how does one address Physician Assistants? You don't call them "Doctor _____". So what do you call them?

Screw it. I call ‘em “Doc”.

Kristi, John, Mike, Elizabeth…...

??

I live in a big city and I have never heard of a trend towards physicians assistants.

It’s probably a good idea for a lot of office visits, but it’s news to me.

my best friend growing up just became a Nurse Practitioner and is having one heck of a time finding a job.

I only see doctors and refuse to see anything but the actually treating physician.

I usually see my doctor. When I do see the P.A., I call him “Troy” because that is his name and that is what the people at the front desk call him when they make the appointment with me.

I call my doctor Sam. He never refers to me by my job title, so I see no reaswon to do the same.

All the PAs and NPs I’ve seen have just been referred to as Mr., Mrs., Ms. (etc). _______ by the offices I’ve been to, so that works for me.

I have seen a PA at my doctors office on several occasions. She introduced herself as LeAnn, so that’s how I addressed her.

My wife the nurse, worked for a PA. She states the proper address is Mr. Brawley.

He is not a medical doctor, so the word doctor is inappropriate.

I do not think this trend you are claiming toward being treated by Physician’s Assistants is at all as widespread as you think.

But to answer your question, you address them them as Mr or Ms Last Name.

I usually call people by their first names.

We have PA’s that see us first. This has actually been a growing trend, especially when you see specialists.

Usually, they tell you what to address them by @Kraigmo. If he/she doesn’t, then just ask. Our last one just wanted to be called Dan.

Pharmaceutical Salesperson?

I should have also added that I agree with @john65pennington that it’s incorrect to call someone doctor when they’re not a doctor. If someone asks you to call them doctor and they’re a PA, you should question it. It’s like someone asking you to shush in a bookstore. It’s not a library, it’s a bookstore.

I see a doctor, there is a PA in the office and she simply goes by, “Kelly.” That is how she introduced herself to those in the practice. However, I rarely see the PA. She’s great, I just have a very established relationship with the Dr. and would prefer to see her, when it is possible.

May I ask what a PA is, please? This is all foreign to me, sorry man. I only see doctors when needed, so this must be something new.

@12Oaks; it’s a Physicians Assistant. They have prescribing privileges like a doctor.

@Judi Thanks. I never heard about them.

I have a great PA whom I see by choice first. I never heard a correct title with which to address her but everyone in the office is used to dealing with the spillover title Dr. <brilliant> and of course they can deal with just her name. In person I have a hard time Not calling her Dr <brilliant> and she doesn’t blink when I do.

2nd Answer….........

This would be like calling a security guard a police officer.

They definetely are not the same.

My mom lOved her PA because she took more time wit her than the Doctor. You’re not always getting second bestvwhen you go to them. They tend to be a little more wholistic inventor approach. (in my experience. )

@john65pennington A curious follow up here, if you please. I had police “friends” in my younger days and they all had a different reaction to security guards. Let me ask your opinion, not of concensus, please. Would you consider a security guard at the same level on a different ladder than a piolice officer. As in, should a civilian treat them with the same respect as they would a policeman and, in the case of, say, a bar fight, would the officer take the story of what happened from the security guard before those involved in a fight (I saw that one on Cops)?

—so sorry about my last response. The iPhone makes me crazy. Damnyouautocorrect.com.

First name basis.