IME very few doctors listen to the patient at all.

1. They're too busy
2. They assign too much of their initial/early dealings with new patients to their (the doctors') PA's
3. I've had experience with many PA's that would be unbelievable if they weren't true. (And great experiences with a very small percentage of some older/more experienced PAs)

In the mid-80's a well known diagnostician from a well known midwest university hospital told me that more and more hospitals were becoming corporations, and doctors were leaning toward becoming 'stock holders' after a fashion.

Too often it seems one is sent from his GP to a long list of 'specialists' none of which a patient can visit for at least a month or longer, and the patient is then further sent to 'another' doctor in the same 'health system' which is tantamount to being on an endless merry-go-round.

Between traveling from one doc to the next the patient has a long while (often 2-3 months) in which to anticipate what his/her problem might truly be which by itself can be nerve wracking.

In short, the system IME, is hit and miss at best.

(I will also not take the advice of any PA unless I cross-check the prescription they seem too willing to write as I have found in more than one instance their prescription to be a medication I should definitely not take according to other health issues I currently may be experiencing when cross-referencing what they prescribe with my current issues.

Too many PA's are either too proud, too anxious to 'help,' or (and I say unapologetically) too stupid to know their own limitations not to mention the negative or dangerous effects their actions may have on a patient.