News
Article
Supervision required: Physicians say nurse practitioner independence has gone too far in exclusive survey
Author(s):
Key Takeaways
- The expansion of NPs' roles has sparked debate over their independent practice without physician oversight.
- Physicians have differing views on NP training adequacy, patient safety, and healthcare access and costs.
In many states, nurse practitioners are gaining greater permission to practice and prescribe independently, with varying levels of physician oversight. What do physicians think of this trend? See our exclusive physician survey results to find out.
There's more physician data on this topic available. Check out Insider to see how physicians feel about:
- Does NP practice independence pose a risk to patient safety?
- Do hospitals and payers want to replace primary care physicians with NPs?
- Do patients understand the difference between a physician and an NP? Are the differences communicated clearly?
- Should NPs who want to practice independently receive special training?
- Physcians' share their concerns over NP independence, in their own words.
The debate over nurse practitioner independence
The role of nurse practitioners (NPs) continues to expand, sparking debate over whether NPs should be allowed to practice independently without physician oversight.
To better understand physician perspectives on this controversial issue, Medical Economics surveyed a cross-section of physicians from various specialties and practice settings via survey forms sent to our physician subscriber lists.
The results reveal sharply differing views on the adequacy of NP training, concerns about patient safety, and the potential impact on both access to care and health care costs.
While some physicians acknowledge the importance of NP-led care in underserved areas, many harbor concerns about whether NPs are sufficiently prepared to manage complex medical conditions without direct physician involvement. This data offers valuable insight into the current sentiment surrounding NP autonomy — and it may help inform ongoing discussions about the best way to deliver efficient, high-quality care.
