Comparing quality of care in medical specialties between nurse practitioners and physicians

Abstract

Background: The American health care system is facing a growing health care provider shortage in primary and specialty care settings. Research has established that nurse practitioners (NPs) match or exceed their physician colleagues in providing quality care in primary care settings. Objective: This systematic review aimed to compare the quality of NP versus physician-led care in outpatient specialty care setting for clinical outcomes patient satisfaction. Data sources: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guided the literature search (CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) and interpretation of findings. Of the 228 articles that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 11 were selected for further review. Conclusions: Studies were conducted from 1995 to 2016 across four countries and spanned 10 distinct medical specialties. As a whole, these studies demonstrated that NPs in specialty settings perform as well as physicians terms of clinical safety and positive patient outcomes. Nurse practitioners matched or exceeded their physician counterparts in patient education and satisfaction. Implications for practice: Nurse practitioners are a feasible option for addressing specialty care shortages. Further research should investigate whether NPs and physicians are equally prepared to provide equivalent care immediately following their respective postbaccalaureate programs. If not, studies should explore specific training duration and elements NPs require to provide equivalent care.

Measuring performance of professional role substitution models of care against traditional medical care in healthcare—A systematic review

“…10 In addition, nurse practitioners work in numerous healthcare settings with evidence supporting the notion that nurse practitioners deliver care that is comparable to medical doctors in terms of quality, utilization, and patient satisfaction. 11 In recent times, liberating and enhancing the skill sets and knowledge of allied-health practitioners have been critical levers to shifting the way health services are delivered. Professional role substitution in allied health has been effective in improving patient access across a range of specialities while releasing medical specialists to see more complex patients.…”

Diabetes Capabilities for the Healthcare Workforce Identified via a 3-Staged Modified Delphi Technique

“…Improving private CDEs remuneration and identifying opportunities to enable nurse practitioners to develop, implement, and evaluate Chronic Condition Management Plans in partnership with people living with diabetes can create workforce solutions to increase timely quality healthcare access and build workforce capacity. International research has established that nurse practitioners match or exceed physician colleagues in providing quality care in primary care and speciality areas [ 71 ]. However, according to Australian nurse practitioners, the current structure of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medicare restricts their ability to deliver a complete cycle of care [ 72 ], reducing workforce capacity.…”

Evidence-based updates to the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines Part 2

“…The recommendations in the 2021 SSC guidelines encompass more than the individual's pathophysiologic response, taking multiple other factors into account to facilitate thorough care. NPs are well versed in caring for the whole patient and these guidelines may be translated to multiple patient scenarios 27…”

“…NPs are well versed in caring for the whole patient and these guidelines may be translated to multiple patient scenarios. 27…”