Physician Assistants
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Introduction
Is this arrogance? Perhaps...
Physician Assistants
- 2-3 years of education
- broad scope of practice
- works with FP in a collaborative practice
- less cost than physicians - cost effectiveness?
- chief drawbacks: limited ability to work independently; limited experience
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Associates
- often IMGs
- can also be nurses or physicians with special competencies
- often emplyed in hospitals or clinics
Office Nurses or Assistants
- variety of role
- RN?BN
- LPN/CNA
- pwersonal care workers
- limited scope of practice
- unregulated
Community Care Worker
Community Paramedic Paractioners
In rural areas, there is often low need
paramedics are often sitting around
NP+paramedic+physician program
in Brier Island, there are two paramedics that do all sorts of amazing things on their off time
- VISIT program: vital signs, interview, safety inspection, treatment
- they do all the flu vaccinations
- ear syringing
- minor lacerations
- hypertension, diabetes, CHF, prenatal follow-up
- wound dressing
- IV antibiotics at home
in first year, there was a 23% reduction in ER and FP visits
June 2007 paper - over 5 years, 40% decrease in ED visits
- prescription numbers went way down as people's CHF was better managed
- residents were happy
Resources and References
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