In the News

Nurse Practitioners Slowly Gain Autonomy - According to The Pew Charitable Trusts on July 19, 2013 some states are trying to fill the primary care physician shortage with nurses who have advanced degrees in family medicine. Advocates for patients, hospitals and insurers agree that allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) to fill in for doctors makes sense when it comes to basic services. But physician groups vigorously oppose the changes, arguing that nurses lack the training to safely diagnose, treat, refer to specialists, admit to hospitals and prescribe medications for patients, without a doctor’s oversight.But for the nursing profession, the gold standard is full independence. That is the only way, advocates argue, that NPs will be able to make a dent in patients’ access to care. TO READ MORE CLICK HERE




Is GME Snubbing Rural America - According to Media Health Leaders on June 19, 2013-The U.S. Census for 2010 says that one in five people —19.3% of the population, about 59.4 million people—live in rural America. Unfortunately, a new report this month from George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services says that only 4.8% of new physicians plan to establish a practice in rural areas, despite the critical need. It's a topic that's been predicted and discussed for decades. We know what the problem is but we can't fix it.TO READ MORE CLICK HERE



Shortage of primary care doctors forces groups to adapt - According to News telegram.com on July 25, 2013-Since the state passed a health reform law in 2006 mandating health insurance coverage, demand for internal medicine and family practice physicians to manage office-based patient care has soared. Not only has the Reliant medical group hired seven more advanced-practice clinicians, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who provide primary care under a physician's supervision, but it also employs nurses and medical assistants in innovative ways. Medical assistants work with Reliant's database to contact high-risk patients with chronic diseases, including depression, who may be overdue for an appointment or need a check-in on medication.TO READ MORE. CLICK HERE