Nurse practitioners vs. physician assistants

Most U.S. consumers want to see a doctor. But when presented with the chance to see a physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP) sooner than a physician, most choose that option.

Primary care treatments are increasingly moving to a team-based approach. According to a study in the May-June 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 60% of family doctors “routinely” work in collaboration with nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives.

So what are the roles of these professionals? Both NPs and PAs perform the following tasks:

• Reviewing and updating patients’ medical histories

• Examining patients

• Diagnosing and treating medical problems

• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests

• Educating patients and their families in matters of health

• Researching the latest treatments and technologies impacting their fields

Both NPs and PAs serve as primary and specialty care providers, often specializing in a particular area of medicine. Both professionals also tend to work fairly independently, though they may at times report to or collaborate with doctors, surgeons and other medical professionals. Every U.S. state allows PAs to prescribe medications; not all states allow NPs to prescribe medication and they require NPs to maintain collaborative relationships with physicians and other providers.

PAs tend to have a bit more independence universally.

The most significant differences between NPs and PAs have less to do with their day-to-day work than their career training and licensing requirements.

NPs are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. They have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing followed by a graduate level degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in Nursing Practice. Advance practice nurses with doctoral degrees teach them in the Nursing Model.

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants certifies PAs. They have a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies, health or medical science. Physician assistants with doctoral degrees teach them in the Medical Model.

If going to see a PA or NP, see one that works in close conjunction with a physician. Some physicians use a PA or NP to do patients’ initial screenings.

When is it reasonable to have an appointment with a PA or NP?

• For simple problems such as colds, sore throat, bronchitis, minor injuries, etc.

• For follow-up appointments after surgery if all is going well

Please visit Prescription for a Better Life by Susan Locke at healthnetworkfoundation.org.

SUSAN LOCKE, MD, is Healthnetwork Foundation’s medical director.

HEALTHNETWORK is a Legatus membership benefit, a healthcare “concierge service” that provides members and their families access to some of the most respected hospitals in the world. One Call Starts It All: (866) 968-2467 or (440) 893-0830. Email: [email protected]