More on ‘We are physicians, not providers’

I thank Dr. Nasrallah very much for his editorial about being called “providers,” which has always irritated me. We worked hard to get our MDs. I’ve told my residents for a long time that the term “provider” sounds more like a wholesale grocery company. A similar term also confounds me: behavioral medicine. What is that, an old-fashioned reform school? We don’t change patients’ behavior to conform; we treat their illnesses and symptoms so that they can do better for themselves.

Henry Kandler, MD
Bronx, New York

I commend Dr. Nasrallah’s recent editorial. Society must reconsider the concept that health care is a “product.” Patient education is key!

This editorial was translated into Portuguese by a colleague, and it has started a very interesting and fruitful debate.

Renato Ambrósio Jr., MD, PhD
Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

I was extremely impressed with the wisdom Dr. Nasrallah expressed in his editorial about how we should be referred to as physicians, not as “providers.” For many years, I have referred to my primary care colleagues as “PCPs,” which stands for primary care providers. I will do this no more and instead use the preferred and more accurate term primary care physicians. And yes, I do support his suggestion that the APA’s name be changed to the American Psychiatric Physicians Association, and hope that the plan to implement these improvements succeeds throughout the United States.

Donald Banzhaf, MD
Rochester, New York

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