YDAS

Comparing Nurse Practitioner Services to Doctors
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Tracy E. Austin, MD
Thursday, January 28, 2010 – 07:01 PM

Services compared to Doctors

There are times when a doctor will be called away from his or her office so that yet another patient can be treated at the hospital. The physician will not be back to the office for a number of hours. What does this mean for a patient who has an appointment at the office? If a nurse practitioner is offered, the receptionist or nurse can give the patient an option to see that individual. Most patients will be fine with this, but some may be much more confused as to the qualifications that a nurse practitioner has in comparison to their regular physician.

This is an everyday occurrence for patients. The Arizona Republic newspaper reported in February 2009, “During the past five years, the number of nurse practitioners in the United States has increased by nearly 40 percent, to 125,000, according to estimates by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.” It is thought this jump is since of a physician shortage and having a nurse practitioner is a way to offer health services to everyone when needed. A lot of have small or no information about nurse practitioners and just as several have misconceptions.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A Nurse practitioner is a medical professional that cares for a patient with a focus on the patient’s overall well-being. They make diagnoses, ordering test and prescribing medicine. A main element is they do not need to and are not required to consult a doctor. Nurse practitioners are working in numerous types of practices from family health to dermatology. Even though these professionals are not restricted in practicing medicine, if a nurse practitioner comes across a condition they have questions about, they could consult with yet another medical expert. Nurse practitioners are regulated by the state they are licensed in and each state varies.

Nurse practitioners in fact perform 80 percent of required medical procedures. Yet another title for a nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse. Nurse practitioner duties also contain:
•    Taking referrals from other health professional and making referrals
•    Recommending physical therapy
•    Conducting annual physicals
•    Counseling and educating patients
•    Reading lab tests and x-rays
•    Manage medications
•    Healthy promotions for the community and lifestyles

Are Nurse Practitioners Qualified?

Yes, nurse practitioners are qualified. These medical experts are more than registered nurses simply because of an advanced education and training. They work with doctors and have qualifications to treat acute and chronic illnesses. Generally, nurse practitioners have Masters degrees, whilst others have begun earning their doctorate. As of now, this is acceptable nevertheless, doctorates will be needed for nurse practitioners starting in 2015. These medical professions have hundreds of hands-on training opportunities with supervision and work under medical guidelines.

Physician vs. Nurse Practitioner

Following is a summary of the differences between a doctor’s education, qualification, responsibilities, and restrictions:

•    Doctors have a lot more extensive education and training as well as having far more responsibility.

•    Doctors are required to see a specific quantity of patients in a day whereas nurse practitioners have a reputation for a dedicated bedside manner, which permits them far more time with each patient.

•    Research has shown that nurse practitioners price less than doctors. Nurse practitioners also may price much less because they try to dispense fewer prescriptions.

•    Nurse practitioners are just an additional alternative when it comes to receiving health care. Doctors are frequently the first choice with patients since of the extended qualifications they have obtained.

•    Nurse practitioners are far more often affiliated with patient advocacy activities in comparison with doctors though doctors frequently participate in community organizations as well.

Respect for Nurse Practitioners

When patients are told that the doctor is out, but the nurse practitioners is available, there are mixed reactions. Usually the patient has the alternative to reschedule to see the regular physician instead. Nurse practitioners notice a lack of respect from every angle. Yet, when a patient is seen by and then experiences how a nurse practitioner is, they typically come across that nurse practitioners are just as worthy as the doctors.

Normally, nurse practitioners work with the physician at the office, yet it is becoming popular for nurse practitioners to open their own offices. This gives them independence to generate a location where they can produce an atmosphere that enables them to concentrate on patients and supply identical day appointments.

Even though nurse practitioners are occasionally regarded as a substitute for doctors, doctors are much more qualified however, they both offer quality care. Statistics show that there are presently more than two million nursing jobs which makes it the largest area in the health care profession concerning jobs.

When visiting a medical office and having the choice between a physician or a nurse practitioner, a patient can now choose with more confidence understanding that a nurse practitioner is a quite qualified medical professional. For referenced and resourced details, go to http://www.smilemd.com/nurse-practitioner/comparing-nurse-practitioner-services-to-doctors.aspx