One obvious question would be: how do these doctors do in practice vs. their peers? The truth is that, in many professions, you learn much more than you need to actually do the job effectively. Part of the rationale is that you use it to insure that the people who get though the program are of higher quality. In many cases, however, this argument rings hollow.
In the military, I was treated by many people who (I assumed) were full fledged physicians but turned out to be physicians assistants. At the time, I didn’t detect any real difference and they treated me just fine.
” In the military, I was treated by many people who (I assumed) were full fledged physicians but turned out to be physicians assistants. At the time, I didn’t detect any real difference and they treated me just fine. “
My current VA Primary Care provider is a PA, and I’m much happier with her than I was with the surly MD they stuck me with before...