Interesting. On a Facebook page devoted to Physician Assistants,

[KT2000]

7. such an introduction

is a good idea. Among my friends, people prefer PAs actually.

Years ago I picked up a Blue Cross textbook at the thrift store. There was a chapter on dealing with doctors' egos to transition to what amounted to insurance company control of health care. I believe the generic term "health care provider" was born in the insurance industry for that very purpose. Doctors are now lumped into the same category as receptionists and nursing assistants. Patients are usually kept in the dark about who they are dealing with if introductions are not made.