- DRFP Said:
- Kate429 Said:
DFRP -
While some NP's and PA's can practice at a high level after years of experience, its experience in their focus and not as much as all around as a physician. Also mind you, not all PA's and NP's reach the higher level.
I argue why even consider replacement of Physicians with NP's and PA's, it was never meant to be this way. It's like giving a drug that 50% of the time prevents death without a cure over a drug that not only prevents death 100% time but cures!
Please this is my opinion its ok to debate me and change my mind.
- In reply to:
The important factor is a health system where people are referred to the appropriate level of care.
That is not possible if the lower level provider is not Knowledgeable enough to make the correct Diagnosis, Yes I'm saying that PA's and NP's make mistakes more often then Physicians on complicated, rare diagnosis or complicated health issues.While some NP's and PA's can practice at a high level after years of experience, its experience in their focus and not as much as all around as a physician. Also mind you, not all PA's and NP's reach the higher level.
I argue why even consider replacement of Physicians with NP's and PA's, it was never meant to be this way. It's like giving a drug that 50% of the time prevents death without a cure over a drug that not only prevents death 100% time but cures!
Please this is my opinion its ok to debate me and change my mind.
What bothers me about this or rather infuriates me is the response and stance from AMA, AAFP, and other physician groups about NP and PA. Just this week a segment on PBS concerning NP's brought the president of AAFP saying every american should be able to see a primary care physician.
Ok I agree with that, but it aint gonna happen. Even if the AMA and the government was able to magically increase payments to primary care docs, increase residencies, and all the rest, it would be a 5 to 10 years before the first med school class would be full attending physicians. How we would motivate them to open practices or be involved in underserved communities is still elusive.
What infuriates me even more was his comment that there isn't enough clinical training spots for NPs. I have heard the same argument between onshore and offshore schools.
1) There isnt enough clinical training spots for MD students now, which is what really makes the slow process of opening US based schools.
2) There won't anytime soon be enough primary care physicians to deal with the needs of an aging population nor the underserved.
3) There is little if any public support for the need for NP and PA from physician groups. I hear such vitriol from older docs who wouldn't even consider having a NP or PA in an ER
4) The majority of the aging population needs management of chronic conditions, perfect for NP and PA.
5) one of the reasons I asked our keynote speaker, Dr. Rebbecca Patchin, immediate past chair of AMA board of transit, is she started as a nurse. However, the only time I see her used her MD and BSN is when the AMA needs a spokesperson against NPs.
When will the medical community start thinking in terms of the patient for health crisis for millions of americans? Which is more powerful, cost effective, and time-efficient: training and placing half a dozen family practitioners or getting one doc, 2 PAs and NPs/RN across two clinics. Not only would it provide care to many but also remove the growing pressure on ERs
Sorry, rant and rave is now over. We return you to your regularly scheduled forum
