- Joined
- May 6, 2017
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 1
If "practicing medicine" is defined as examining, diagnosing, and treating acute and chronic illness in a manor consistent with scientific evidence, then who practices medicine? If the term physician means one who practices medicine, then who is a physician? I notice nurse practitioners and physician assistants going about the duties of their jobs in primary care offices in such a way that without a name tag, would be indistinguishable from their MD/DO counterparts. Some nurse practitioners now have a "Doctor of Nursing Practice" or DNP degree, which is a doctoral degree that technically constitutes that he or she is academically considered a 'doctor.' Yes, physician assistants must have a collaborating agreement with a physician, but in many states, nurse practitioners are now able to practice without any collaborative agreement at all. Of course, any intelligent nurse practitioner would collaborate with more experienced physicians, PAs, or NPs to provide excellent care regardless of if they are required to collaborate or not (just like any good physician does). The discussion I am looking to provoke is on the topic of why MD/DO physicians and physician so strongly oppose the advancement of "mid-level" providers, even though research evidence has proven multiple times that the care provided by midlevels, especially nurse practitioners, is equal to that of an MD or DO. Of course, a nurse practitioner who was educated in a Family Nurse Practitioner program should not be practicing surgery, oncology, cardiology, etc. independently. But family medicine is what these individuals were educated and credentialed in, and have proven to practice competently in. Wouldn't it be acceptable to call one's self a "family physician" or a "family doctor?" Or introduce one's self as "Hello, I am Dr. Smith, family nurse practitioner?" I know this is a provoking topic for many, and there will be a lot of NP-bashing, but I hear from patients far too often that "my doctor is a nurse practitioner" or calling a PA "Doctor Smith," only to be followed by stern correction from physicians or other staff. Why make patients feel as if they cannot trust their PA or NP? Part of me thinks 'let them be called whatever title they have earned or learned and worry about ourselves.' Thoughts?