What do you think of the health care provided by nurse practitioners?

I love my NP. She spends way more time with me than my doctor. The thing is she says many doctors are against NP's and are trying to start legislation that really restricts their practice. I don't think NP's are a replacement for physicians, but they certainly seem to be well equipped to handle minor illnesses and other not so minor problems. They cost a lot less than a physician which is great for those without health insurance (about 40% of US). What are your thoughts on this?

Dear Mispris...

I agree 100% with you.

As a cancer survivor, I see a nurse practioner every month. He suggests, the doctors signs and indeed seems to give me more care than the doctor himself.

Speaking of 40% without insurance, insurance as we knew it, is becoming extinct for our health.

Consumer Driven Health Care that includes on-going conditions at 1980 rates without limits and restrictions, is the answer 28 million are enjoying right now.

Even the AARP offers these plans to their members.

Come join our group and learn more
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betterheal...

To Your Health !!

Debbie

In the US most insurance companies don't pay for Nurse Practioneers. They ususally work directly with a physican. My heart dr. has one and she does the routine things like following my blood pressure and ekgs. She also orders all my routine meds. If there is a problem while I am there she can discuss it with the Drl. and he may come in. I have found the same thing at my new Family dr. His NP sees me and I am very happy with her care. he is the one who found a mass on my ovary but obviously they ent me to a surgeon to takeit out. I like the way they take their time with you, explain things with you and all.Plus alot of the times they are easier to talk to about things.

As a nurse myself, why would I want to go to another nurse? At my doctor's office, it costs the same to see her as the doctor! I do sometimes see the practitioner if I can't get in to see the doctor and I am fairly confident that she will get me where I need to go, if need be.

I think they are a lot better than Doctors. I see one also and she spends more time, and answers questions and is not in a hurry to get out of the room.

You know, it is pretty simple in concept but complicated in practice.
Every profeesion wants to protect their turf, and each will say that their education and experience demands that they are in charge.

But I will tell you this.

A family doctor is a trained proffessional. He has studied "In General" everything about medicine and when he sees patients, he deals with them, prescribes drugs or whatever, but if he thinks there is something more important, he sends you to a "specialist" Be it a cancer specialist, a heart specialist, an internal medicine specialist....Get the picture???? One person cannot know everything,,, A family doctor deals with non life threatening stuff, he can decide if a specicialist should be consulted and if so, arranges it.

All through the medical profession this happens and works best.

A paramedic (non Doctor, Is trained on emergency first aid, and has a better chance of saving a life in a trauma ituation than a Family doctor...Why, Because of experience and constant repitition. But no matter how skilled he is, He can't do a heart transplant. A Nurse practitioner can do a lot off stuff that a highly trained doctor, shouldn't be bothered with, routine stuff frees the doctor for more important diagnosis and referral. Just like in a hospital, a RN should not be in charge of changing bed pans, that should be Practical nurses or Nurses aides.

The medical system should Allocate the jobs to the people qualified to do them and leave the important stuff to the best trained people

I to am very happy with my NP. She does take time to answer any questions and never makes me feel rushed. Of course doctors want them restricted because they see money slipping away if Np's are ever given authority to treat without a doctor on the premises. They can only justify so much for an office call if they never even see the patient. The good news is that insurance companies are in the top five of lobbyists in the country, and all they care about is the bottom line: cheaper is better, at what ever price to the patient. I am still amazed that the insurance companies decide how long you can stay in a hospital, not a qualified medical person. HMO was the beginning of the end of decent medical care in this country. But insurance companies may have enough a$$ to walk over the doctors to save a buck. They may decide NP's should be able to treat routine visits and insurance would be billed less. It is all about that almighty dollar.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants as well as other physician extenders are key players in our health care system. It allows the patient to receive more attention while allowing the physician to see more patients.

Although you may not always see the physician, a NP or PA works under the direction of a MD.

There are political issues that do cause some turf guarding. The biggest issue is physicians trying to keep the ability to make medical decisions regarding the needs of their patients. Who do you want saying what test you need? Your physician who is examining you or a clerical worker at the insurance company?

You want real politics? Look up how much money the chiropractic community spends on lobbying legislators.

Just like our federal government, there needs to be a check & balance system. Sometimes MD's have to work to keep some control.