PAs and NPs for Primary Care

[ucbalumnus]

@tamagotchi

My NP would never refer to herself as “Doctor” but when I go to check in at her practice, it’s not uncommon for the front desk staff to refer to her as “Doctor NPName.”

@blossom

And in my experience, it’s even more pronounced if you are at an urgent care clinic, where the receptionist, medical scribes, nurses aides– all refer to “Dr. X” whether or not “Dr. X” is actually a doctor.

What would the proper one word title in a health care context be for an NP or PA? Or is it just an uphill battle to get people to say “Nurse Practitioner [Name]” or “Physician Assistant [Name]”?