Working, without someone looking over our shoulder, is a secret wish of all of us. And that has led to one of the most heated debates in the healthcare industry. Coming, close on the heels, of the battle between, CRNAs, and, anesthesiologists. It is now physicians and nurse practitioners who are at loggerheads.
Endangering patients…
Physicians fear that working without their supervision can put patients at risk. And lead to fragmented, patchy patient data. Providing longitudinal care and unifying diverse factors across the care continuum is an ongoing challenge. Nurse practitioners functioning independently can lead to increased confusion, is the chief complaint of docs.
It is a known fact that recent regulations and compliance thresholds have put physicians under a lot of stress. To have nurse practitioners challenge their role in the medical fraternity. And compete for patients, is the last thing physicians need.
End the monopoly !
Do we know how to bill for services ? Yes.
Do we know how to take care of patients in need of primary care ? Yes.
Do we need a physician to tell us what to do ? No.
This is the war cry of America’s nurse practitioners. They feel practicing under the supervision of physicians is unnecessary and restrictive. Despite being highly qualified and experienced, nurse practitioners feel they are being given a rough deal.
Not a turf war for money !
The request by NP’s to reduce physician interference can surprisingly prove to be beneficial. Obama care is going to result in a sudden influx of thousands of patients. As United States battles severe primary care physician shortage. Qualified nurse practitioners and a newer model of working might just be the right solution.
Once the dust settles down…
It is being hoped that once the storm settles down it will bring a lasting and mutually agreeable solution. The need of the hour is clear cut billing regulations. Reformed, payer policies, that don’t leave room for doubt. And, nurse practitioners and physicians, who work together towards a sustainable solution.
As a nurse practitioner there is enough on your plate already ! Here is the presentation on “Reimbursements guide for nurse practitioners to survive the storms in 2013 !”