Other types of health care practitioners identified in the survey are: "a chiropractor" (SAWCHIR); "an optometrist, optician, or eye doctor (someone who prescribes eye glasses)" (SAWEYEDR); "a general doctor who treats a variety of illnesses (a doctor in general practice, family medicine, or internal medicine" (SAWGEN); "a doctor who specializes in women's health (an obstetrician/gynecologist)"(SAWGYN); "a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or clinical social worker" (SAWMENT); "a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or midwife" (SAWRNPA); "a physical therapist, speech therapist, respiratory therapist, audiologist, or occupational therapist" (SAWTHERA); and "a medical doctor who specializes in a particular medical disease or problem (other than obstetrician/gynecologist, psychiatrist, or ophthalmologist)" (SAWSPEC).

If the respondent had seen more than one type of health professional during a single visit, each of these practitioners was to be reported separately. As the Manual for 1997-2000 explained, "If the Sample Adult saw a physician's assistant who checked his temperature and blood pressure before seeing the general practitioner, count this as both 'a general doctor...' and 'a ... physician's assistant,' even though they were both seen on the same visit." The Manual for 2001 forward made the same point: "if the Sample Child saw a physician's assistant for a physical exam before seeing the general practitioner (physician) for further diagnosis, count this as both 'a general practitioner' and 'a physician's assistant.'"