[Tax-chick]

In the military, we saw a nurse or a physician's assistant for just about everything. Heck, a paramedic can do much of what civilians have to see a doctor for.

[USMCWife6869]

Heck, I barely get past the Corpsmen when I go to our clinic. We don't have a full-srevice clinic here at our base. I understand the stresses on military medicine, really I do, but if I call and say I know my daughter must have strep, being the mother of three and experiencing it before, and I get told that I can't get in to see ANYONE at all for 3 or 4 days...forget it.

On this particular occasion, I just waited until 4 PM, called the clinic duty medic and then got a referral for the out in town urgent care clinic. We were in and out of that clinic in 20 minutes, whereas on base I have to schedule an entire day for appointments.

I'd go to these clinics if they were near me.

[Gabz]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with these clinics.

[shrinkermd]

If you are over 65 on Medicare and live in a big city you will seldom see a physician unless necessary. You will receive excellent followup and other care from a physician's assistant or other non-MD professional provider.

Medicare has reduced benefits to such a degree this is the only way a cognitive specialist or outpatient physician can survive. In doing so they have proved the value of the physician's assistants and registered nurses.

I look forward to my registered nurse far more than to my physician. She is more contactful, patient and interested than my highly trained specialty physician. She also, like any professional, knows what she doesn'g know. Many have similar experiences and that is why I am optimistic about the trend in medical care.