My oncologist uses a nurse practitioner

Posted by wdene @wdene, Jun 12 8:23am

Do you see a nurse practitioner sometimes instead of Dr oncologist on scheduled visits. I’m uncomfortable with this. Your experience please.

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Yes, I certainly do. She just goes over the test results. All she can say is what the oncologist already told me. She checks my physical condition, looking for new aches and pains. I guess she found something new, she would get the doctor.

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I actually liked the nurse practitioner better than the oncologist. It seemed like she was more thorough, spent more time answering questions and anything she didn't know she would find out for us.

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Doesn't matter. We are all on the same team. My oncologist is a department head, MD, Professor, and head of clinical prostate cancer research. I see her couple times per year. She leads a big team of prostate cancer professionals. Her nurse practitioners are oncology NP, all outstanding all really good. However my hunch they are good because she selections them all for her team. Alternatively I can ask to see her, just her, anytime I want. In my case my cancer team is very large, I am happy with them all except the one guy, he's excellent at what he does but, all well we all have quirks.

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Most of the time I don't see my doctor. Another person just gives me a Lupron shot and sends me on my way.

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My NP at my family has several new patients since my family doctor retired. I was with her 23 years. I am happy with the NP I see there. She takes as much time as I need never rushes out.

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Profile picture for maga @maga

Most of the time I don't see my doctor. Another person just gives me a Lupron shot and sends me on my way.

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@maga
I always got my Lupron shot from an RN. I had meetings with my oncologist every three months either video or phone call, No need to go in for it.

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Profile picture for proftom2 @proftom2

Doesn't matter. We are all on the same team. My oncologist is a department head, MD, Professor, and head of clinical prostate cancer research. I see her couple times per year. She leads a big team of prostate cancer professionals. Her nurse practitioners are oncology NP, all outstanding all really good. However my hunch they are good because she selections them all for her team. Alternatively I can ask to see her, just her, anytime I want. In my case my cancer team is very large, I am happy with them all except the one guy, he's excellent at what he does but, all well we all have quirks.

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@proftom2 Same situation with my liver team 20 years ago. All NP's and PA's were hand picked and excellent at a teaching hospital. My doctor was a mad scientist type of guy that tried to present as a normal guy lol. He really did try lol. All of the team even addressed me by first name. None of my cancer doctors ever use my name. It was the best care I ever had. Bitter sweet when released from care after a successful treatment.

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