Health
88 MensHealth.com | December 2016
1/ Registered Nurse (R.N.)
There’s more to nursing than
pumping a blood pressure cuff.
A registered nurse can provide
you with info about your medica-
tions, coordinate care between
your family doctor and any spe-
cialists, and coach you through
a diet and exercise plan if you’ve
received a diagnosis of hyper-
tension or diabetes, says Mary Jo
Assi, D.N.P., R.N., of the American
Nurses Association.
EDUCATION Associate or bache-
lor’s degree in nursing.
BEST FOR Cramping stomach?
Can’t remember how to use your
inhaler? Call the office and ask
for the R.N. Most likely you’ll hear
back within a couple of hours.3/ Physician Assistant (PA)
Don’t let the word “assistant” fool
you; PAs handle nearly anything
you’d see a doctor for. They can
examine you and diagnose your
problem, order tests, and prescribe
meds. Studies show that patients
receive a similar quality of care
whether they see a PA or a medi-
cal doctor. The PA works under an
M.D.’s supervision and consults
with the boss on complex cases.
EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree
plus a master’s degree from a
PA program with clinical rotations.
BEST FOR Fast help. PAs’ sched-
ules are more likely to allow for
last-minute patients, says Patricia
Dieter, M.P.A., PA-C, division chief
of Duke University’s PA program.2/ Doctor of Osteopathic
Medicine (D.O.)
An osteopath is a fully licensed
physician—a legitimate medical
doctor. However, his or her train-
ing is more holistic and includes
osteopathic manipulative treat-
ment, which uses muscle and joint
movement to relieve such prob-
lems as headaches and back pain.
EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree
plus four years of medical school
and a residency.
BEST FOR If you’re looking for a
broader approach to your care.
Osteopathic physicians review
all the factors that influence your
health—diet, activities, lifestyle,
sleep habits, and what you do for
a living—to personalize your care.Get More for
Your Co-Pay
Your doctor isn’t the only
one in the office. Here’s how
to use the rest of the team.
By Kristen Dold
You know your doctor—the only person
aside from your partner who gets to palm
your balls. But what about all those other
people walking around in white coats
and scrubs? As primary-care physicians
become more scarce (there may be about
20,000 fewer in 2020 than in 2010), you
can expect more one-on-one time with
health professionals who don’t have full-on
M.D. degrees. In fact, many ailments don’t
require an M.D.’s attention. “We’re finding
ways to diffuse the doctor’s expertise and
knowledge across a broader team,” says
Matthew Bernard, M.D., Mayo Clinic’s chair
of family medicine. Use our scouting report
to get out the door faster and healthier.
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ILLUSTRATIONS BY TODD DETWILER