Tinkler S, Sharma R, Pal S, Susu-Mago R, Stano M. Offers of appointments with nurse practitioners if a requested physician is unavailable.
J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2016;
29:209-215. [PMID:
27717211 DOI:
10.1002/2327-6924.12404]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Access to primary care remains a problem for a substantial portion of the U.S. population, and is predicted to worsen due to an aging population and the increasing burden of chronic diseases. Better integration of nurse practitioners (NPs) into the primary care workforce is a possible solution. We examine offers of appointments with NPs if a requested primary care physician is unavailable.
METHODS
Data are from a 2013 audit (simulated patient) study requesting appointment information from a national random sample of primary care physicians. Outcome variables include appointment offers, wait-to-appointment times, and appointment offers with alternate providers, including NPs.
CONCLUSIONS
Of 922 calls to primary care physicians serving the general adult population, 378 (41%) offered appointments with the requested physician. Alternate providers were offered by 63 (7%), including nine offers with NPs (<1%). Mean wait-to-appointment for NPs (3.6 days) was statistically significantly shorter (p-values < .01) than for requested physicians (22.5 days) or non-NP alternate providers (23.9 days).
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
NPs are an important part of the primary care workforce, and new patients seeking primary care physicians may substantially reduce their wait times if an NP is offered.
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