Episode Summary
There is a growing shortage of primary care physicians in the United States, a concerning trend expected to continue rising in the coming years. This shortage severely impacts patients' access to care, especially in a large state like Texas which ranks near the bottom nationally in physicians per capita. With demand increasing, who will provide needed primary care services? One solution is advanced practice clinicians - nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) - who help fill gaps in care through their specialized skills and training.
With advanced education including a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours, NPs and PAs are highly qualified to diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, and prescribe medications. Their background as nurses and PAs gives them valuable hands-on patient care experience. In Texas, NPs have prescriptive authority through collaborative agreements with physicians. PAs also work closely with healthcare teams. With this robust preparation, NPs and PAs provide high-quality, accessible healthcare and are vital members of the care team.
NPs must complete a Master's degree program with a strong clinical focus before they can be licensed to practice. Their training includes physical exams, diagnosing conditions, creating care plans, and prescribing medications - similar duties to physicians in many primary care settings. PAs receive intensive clinical training in their graduate programs as well, rotating through specialties. Both NPs and PAs must pass national certification exams. Their advanced skills and compassion help fill gaps in primary care access and availability. In Texas alone, there are over 32,000 NPs and 9,000 PAs ready to serve patients.
Patients have a choice when seeking care. They can opt to see a physician, NP, or PA. All provide excellent care within their scope of practice. Many patients develop strong relationships with the NPs and PAs who manage their healthcare needs. With the physician shortage, NPs and PAs take on front-line roles in delivering primary care services. They collaborate closely with physicians through referrals and consultation.
Insurance brokers need to understand the role of NPs and PAs. They can help educate clients that they will receive high-quality care from the entire care team, whether seeing a physician, NP, or PA. Demystifying these roles leads to better patient experiences. When providers work together, patients benefit.
NPs and PAs are committed to patient-centered, collaborative care. As demand grows, they will be vital to improving access to care. Texas has come a long way in empowering NPs to practice more independently to serve patients. Many states still require close physician oversight. But the tide is turning - 31 states now allow NPs full practice authority. As state laws give NPs and PAs more flexibility, they can have an even greater impact.
For over 50 years, NPs and PAs have proven their ability to deliver skilled, compassionate healthcare alongside physicians. A collaborative team approach with physicians, NPs, and PAs working together makes the most of their training and puts patients' needs first. This cooperation results in quality care and better health outcomes. As the physician shortage grows, so will the vital role of NPs and PAs in expanding access to primary care.
Timestamps
(0:00:05) - Broker link: Wellmed discusses need for physicians and nurse practitioners
(0:01:07) - There is a physician shortage here in Texas. Texas is ranked 51st in access to healthcare
(0:03:57) - For 19 consecutive years, nursing is the most trusted profession
(0:08:36) - Nurse practitioners in 31 states have full practice authority
(0:11:25) - Rosendo Martinez: There is a shortage of primary care physicians in Texas
(0:16:13) - Rosanna: If the patient wants to see the physician, they will see
(0:22:43) - All right, everyone, thank you for listening to this podcast
