Amid controversy over the expanding role of nonphysician providers to help fill in the gap left by a growing doctor shortage, a new study claims that advanced practice nurses deliver care that is just as safe and effective, if not more so, than that provided by physicians.
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Associate Professors Julie Stanik-Hutt, Kathleen M. White, and colleagues presented their findings in the latest issue of Nursing Economics. Their analysis of 18 years' worth of U.S. studies is "the stuff of which new health policy is made," wrote Stanik-Hutt.
In particular, nurse practitioners (NP) received similar grades to physicians on patient satisfaction scores, patients' self-reported perceived health, as well as cholesterol, blood pressure, and mortality outcomes. According to the study, NPs scored better than physicians when it came to glucose control and lipid control.
The study also compared outcomes between physicians and certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists, finding evidence of similar quality care across the board.
"The study isn't about who is a better health provider," Stanik-Hutt wrote. "Rather, the study suggests the value of enabling both doctors and advanced practice nurses each to do what they do best in a collaborative, but autonomous environment. When each profession works to its strengths, without the fetters of current regulatory restrictions, the unique contributions of both shine through. And that's what I call a win-win for patient care and for providers alike."
To learn more:
- see the press release from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
- check out the post from Nurse.com
- read the study from Nursing Economics (.pdf)