Health care, delivered by Nurse Practitioners, in NP run clinics and offices is growing around the world. This is a good thing. We know there is a shortage of primary care providers and health care consumers need and want a choice in their providers.
However, despite studies showing that NPs are excellent clinicians who provide effective and safe care, opposition remains from physician groups. We’ve seen this over and over again here in the US, in Canada, the UK and now Australia.
Apparently, approval was recently given for a NP run primary healthcare clinic by the Australian government. This has led to opposition by Australian physician groups, who maintain that the role of NPs is merely supportive.
The Australian Nursing Federation stated very eloquently:
“You have to ask what their intent is when they are acting this way because they never come up with any evidence to back up what they say about nurse practitioners being unsafe,” said the federation’s national secretary.
“Nurse practitioners are collegiate and they collaborate in their practice all over the world. They don’t work outside their scope and they refer on appropriately.
“All the evidence shows that nurse practitioners improve efficiency, improve health outcomes and save millions of dollars for state governments. And of course, they help keep people healthy.”
(Source: http://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2010/01/29/article/Debate-over-nurse-practitioner-role/PSIABPXGFP.html)
These days, there is such a push to practice from an evidenced-base stance. Yet, when the evidence is presented, it’s refuted. Much of the “fears” seem to be NP independence. Yet the reality of the situation is that ALL healthcare providers work in collaboration with one another. No one is an island, no one has all the knowledge and expertise. Providers in all disciplines consult and refers when necessary.
There is a huge need, all over the planet for healthcare. There are all sorts of providers who provider excellent, safe and effective care. It’s time to allow well educated and trained providers to do their thing. It’s time to allow consumers the options they want.
