Relying on NPs and PAs Does Not Avoid the Need for Policy Solutions for Primary Care

2013

Authors Petterson, Stephen M, Phillips, Robert L, Bazemore, Andrew W, Burke, Bridget Teevan, Koinis, G T
Topics Role of Primary Care, What Family Physicians Do
Volume 88(4):230
Source American Family Physician

Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) are often proposed as solutions to the looming shortage of primary care physicians. However, a large and growing number of PAs and NPs now work outside of primary care, which suggests that innovative policy solutions to increase access to primary care are still needed.