Regulations requiring physician oversight of nurse practitioners presents numerous problems limiting NPs' ability to provide care, according to research presented at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners 2013 National Conference and covered in The Clinical Advisor. Bobby Lowery, PhD, of East Carolina University School of Nursing in Greenville, N.C., presented findings from a survey of 12,000 NPs from 24 states. The survey found 76 percent of NPs said physician oversight reduces consumer access to NP care. Further, 60.9 percent of respondents said physician oversight has no effect on promoting safety at their practice.
The following are NPs' further views on physician oversight, based on survey results as reported by The Clinical Advisor.
Physician oversight:
Reduces NP autonomy: 86.4 percent
Discourages NPs from owning their own practice: 85.6 percent
Lowers NP job satisfaction: 74.5 percent
Hinders provider-patient communications: 81 percent
Creates provider-patient confusion: 74.5 percent
Increases the overall cost of healthcare: 70.7 percent
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