Dr. Lawrence John (“Patients want physicians involved in their health care,” Nov. 13, TribLIVE) is probably correct that most patients would prefer to see a physician than a physician’s assistant. That does not mean that in many cases they would be as well cared for by a physician’s assistant.
But this process should not be over-regulated. All practitioners at whatever level must be trained to refer patients to others who can better meet their needs.
Whether patients are seeing an M.D. or a P.A., they do not want the government to also be in the room.
Richard E. Ralston
Newport Beach, Calif.
The writer is executive director of Americans for Free Choice in Medicine (afcm.org).