By Erica Gilbert, Samaritan Physician Referral Network coordinator
There are many choices today in health care when deciding who to name as your primary care provider (PCP) including physicians (MD or DO), physician assistants (PA-C), nurse practitioners (NP) or certified nurse midwives (CNM). With so many different kinds of medical providers it can be confusing to know who can help manage your health. You might wonder what it is each of these professionals can do, or if they’re suitable to serve your health care needs.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can specialize in many fields including pediatrics, acute care, women’s health or cardiology. You will most often see NPs with training in family medicine as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) or internal medicine as an adult nurse practitioner (ANP). All nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a master’s degree or higher in their specialty area.
A physician assistant completes undergraduate studies in a variety of different fields, which is followed by medical training and a master’s degree from a medical-school-affiliated PA program. These programs are often accelerated, and for that reason, many require previous medical experience. After completing the PA program, graduates take a certifying exam, designating them as a PA-C (physician assistant – certified).
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants work with people of all ages and their families to diagnose and treat acute health problems like infection or injury. They can diagnose and monitor chronic disease like diabetes and high-blood pressure, prescribe medication, order and interpret diagnostic testing such as blood work and x-rays, perform physicals, well-woman and well-child exams, and promote patient education and counseling for positive, healthy lifestyles. When working in a primary care setting, they serve as a primary care provider for their own panel of patients.
The NP philosophy of care follows the nursing model with an emphasis on patient education and prevention. A nurse practitioner is able to be autonomous and have his or her own practice without the supervision of a physician. The PA-C works collaboratively with a physician in there field. PA-Cs are often found in rural areas that are medically underserved. It is not unusual for rural areas to have a PA-C as the only practicing provider. The focus for an NP or PA-C is on patient care, and delivering the highest quality possible.
A certified nurse-midwife is a medical professional with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in advanced health care such as a nurse practitioner, and may often have a doctoral degree. CNMs receive specialty education in a midwifery program that focuses on women’s health, family planning, gynecologic needs, pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, breastfeeding and the care of newborns.
It is documented that nurse-midwives can manage about 80 percent of all perinatal care (which includes the prenatal, delivery and postpartum stages), family planning, and gynecological needs of women. They work collaboratively with OB/GYN physicians. The can order and perform diagnostic services such as labs, ultrasound and mammogram, as well as write prescriptions, perform routine and annual well-woman exams, as well as counseling on health promotion and education.
Most of these health care professionals don’t have the added responsibilities of hospital care and are able to focus more time on patient education and help their patients understand their own health to achieve mental and physical wellness.
Some people are curious to know why mid-level providers don’t just pursue a medical degree. These careers aren’t a substandard or second choice, just different in their approach to modern medicine and primary care. Many of these providers started their health care careers as nurses, emergency medical technicians or Army medics. By continually educating themselves and seeking new opportunities and certifications, they have risen through the levels in their field, allowing life and social experience to enrich the professions they have chosen.
If you are interested in finding a PCP or if you need help in choosing a medical professional, Samaritan Health Services offers a free service for the mid-Willamette valley and Central Coast. The Physician Referral Network is designed to help you find and access health care, to offer information on health care services and specialists in your area, provide information about local and state resources, answer basic insurance questions, and provide friendly customer service. You may reach us at 1-800-863-5241 or locally at (541) 768-5121.