MDs vs. NPs in Primary Care … The Conflict Continues

Advanced-practice nurses (including nurse practitioners [NPs], clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives) have become commonplace within the U.S. healthcare delivery system since their inception in the 1960s. Now, the clinical workforce is estimated to include >180,000 NPs, approximately 35% of whom provide primary care. But how do NPs and physicians view their respective roles? Researchers analyzed responses to a survey (conducted from November 2011 to April 2012) of 505 primary care physicians and 467 NPs to evaluate their attitudes about healthcare delivery, compensation, and collaboration. Questions included topics such as scope of practice, hours worked, compensation, and attitude…