PAs and PAs

I love working with PAs but I strongly dislike dealing with PAs.  Have I piqued your curiosity?  Are you thinking I’m confused?  Do you think I need a good copy editor? 

By now, you probably know that I favor using abbreviations whenever I can.  It saves time to write MO instead of medical oncologist, or MBC instead of metastatic breast cancer.  But abbreviations also can be confusing.  Does CP mean cleft palate or cerebral palsy?  Maybe it means computer programming.  I remember seeing the abbreviation “SOB” in a medical chart.  My first thought was, “How rude!”  Contrary to my assumption that this was an uncomplimentary description of the patient, it actually meant “short of breath.”  Maybe the poor SOB was SOB.  It’s possible, right? 

Recently we were having dinner with friends.  One of them is an MO and I heard him mention something about the future of and the problems with AI.  AIs—also known as aromatase inhibitors—are a common cancer treatment drug, and since he’s an oncologist, I assumed he was referring to the drug.  Nope.  He was talking about artificial intelligence.  Once he cleared up my confusion, we got a laugh out of the misunderstanding.   And I’m glad to know that there is NOT a problem with the future of AIs for cancer patients. 

But back to my feelings about PAs.  I LOVE physician assistants.  They are licensed medical professionals who provide direct medical care.  They hold advanced degrees and are knowledgeable in wide areas of care.  I’ve been seen by PAs in clinics, urgent care, and in hospitals.  I haven’t had a bad experience yet with a PA.  They’re often available when the MD isn’t, can prescribe drugs as needed and order tests.  PAs rock in my world.

Now, let me tell you about the PA I strongly dislike.  This PA doesn’t know me, doesn’t seem to care how long it takes to get my situation resolved, and is a major thorn in my side.  I’m talking about prior authorization.  I understand the need for processes to prevent the misuse of resources and the over-ordering of tests and procedures.  A recent PA for radiation required multiple submissions of the same request for treatment and several peer-to-peer discussions between my doctor and the insurance company.   The back and forth seemed to go on forever before the insurance company agreed that radiation treatment was, in fact, necessary.

If you (and does anyone not?) send text messages, you probably use abbreviations or acronyms to save time.  Most are straightforward, easily understood and useful in many situations, even when not sending a text message.  Recently, I received a rather bizarre comment on my blog from someone who was telling me I needed to go to such-and-such website, because the guy there cured someone’s cancer and they went from Stage IV pancreatic cancer to Stage I in a matter of a few weeks.  Oh, and check out these cancer cures, too. WTF?

As much as I was tempted to respond with “WTF” I decided not to do that. And after an email exchange with a dear friend, I learned that WTF could mean, “Wow! That’s fantastic!”  I’m still laughing about that.  I decided to just delete this person’s comment and remove them from my distribution list. And the next time I’m waiting to be seen by a doctor and someone walks in and introduces themself as a PA, I might just say, “WTF!”  Should I, or shouldn’t I?

Carol

Cancer has progressed to my bones.  I pray that it never enters my soul.