1. Not a "slam" to surgeons, more like a funny truthful joke. See the smily face?
2. I guess that is my choice. The same when I diagnose a UTI over the phone and prescribe antibiotics. My license, my malpractice, my choice.
3. NPs and PAs are NOT physician extenders. Sad excuse for an insult.
http://www.aanp.org/publications/position-statements-papers
ENA Position: ENA endorses the consensus statement issued by AANP on the use of terms such
as mid-level provider and physician extender.
Background: Nurse practitioners are licensed independent practitioners who practice in a
variety of settings and provide care to individuals, families, and groups. As licensed practitioners
they practice autonomously and in collaboration with other health care professionals. Since nurse
practitioners are independently licensed and their scope of practice is not designed to be
dependent on or an extension of care rendered by a physician, it is essential that the terms used to
describe individuals in this role be appropriate.
Use of Terms Such as Mid-Level Provider and Physician Extender
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) opposes use of terms such as “mid-level
provider” and “physician extender” in reference to nurse practitioners (NPs) individually or to an
aggregate inclusive of NPs. NPs are licensed, independent practitioners. AANP encourages employers,
policy-makers, health care professionals and other parties to refer to NPs by their title. When referring
to groups that include NPs, examples of appropriate terms include: independently licensed providers,
primary care providers, health care professionals and clinicians.
Terms such as “mid-level provider” and “physician extender” are inappropriate references to NPs. These
terms originated in bureaucracies and/or medical organizations; they are not interchangeable with
use of the NP title. They call into question the legitimacy of NPs to function as independently licensed
practitioners, according to their established scopes of practice. These terms further confuse the health
care consumers and the general public, as they are vague and are inaccurately used to refer to a wide
range of professions.
The term “mid-level provider” (mid-level provider, mid level provider, MLP) implies that the care
rendered by NPs is “less than” some other (unstated) higher standard. In fact, the standard of care for
patients treated by an NP is the same as that provided by a physician or other health care provider in
the same type of setting. NPs are independently licensed practitioners who provide high-quality and
cost-effective care equivalent to that of physicians.
1,2
The role was not developed and has not been
demonstrated to provide only “mid-level” care.
The term “physician extender” (physician-extender) originated in medicine and implies that the NP role
evolved to serve as an extension of physicians’ care. Instead, the NP role evolved in the mid-1960’s in
response to the recognition that nurses with advanced education and training were fully capable of
providing primary care and significantly enhancing access to high-quality and cost-effective health
care. While primary care remains the main focus of NP practice, the role has evolved over almost 45
years to include specialty and acute-care NP functions. NPs are independently licensed, and their scope
of practice is not designed to be dependent on or an extension of care rendered by a physician.
In addition to the terms cited above, other terms that should be avoided in reference to NPs include
“limited license providers,” “non-physician providers,” and “allied health providers.” These terms are
all vague and are not descriptive of NPs. The term “limited license provider” lacks meaning, in that all
independently licensed providers practice within the scope of practice defined by their regulatory
bodies. “Non-physician provider” is a term that lacks any specificity by aggregately including all health
care providers who are not licensed as an MD or DO; this term could refer to nursing assistants, physical
therapy aides, and any member of the health care team other than a physician. The term “allied health
provider” refers to a category that excludes both medicine and nursing and, therefore, is not relevant to
the NP role.
1. AANP (2013). Nurse practitioner cost-effectiveness. Austin, TX: AANP.
2. AANP (2013). Quality of nurse practitioner practice. Austin, TX: AANP.
For more information, visit aanp.org.
No not really at all, just do not feel it is appropriate to slam surgeons in regards of their diagnostic abilities.
Unfortunately, often what is described by a layman is very different than what the actual appearance is. So this is where I think diagnosing over the internet is probably not a good idea. If his description is accurate you are probably right as I said, but I would certainly not bet the farm on it.
Really? I guess I will tell my friends that are NP, and PA's that they do not exist.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/physician+extender. No insult intended. Sorry.
Thus why I said sort of...
My PCP told me to tell the doctor in future events that I am allergic to AUGMENTIN.
True.
In any case, I think this thread has outlived its usefulness and getting into the pettiness you and I are getting into is a waste of both of ours valuable time. There is no doubt in my mind you are good at what you do, I just find a lot of what is taken as fact on the internet in terms of medical advise is often more dangerous than helpful. Thus my original recommendation to see his surgeon and PCP. And I still think the surgeon needs to be involved.
Have a good day...toodles.
