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Client characteristics and practice patterns of nurse practitioners and physicians
N B Moody1, P L Smith, L L Glenn
1Department of Professional Roles/Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
The Nurse Practitioner
|April 1, 1999
Summary
Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Tennessee primarily serve younger, female patients and focus on health teaching. Their practice patterns show similarities and differences compared to physicians, particularly in client demographics and interventions.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Practice
- Primary Care
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in primary care delivery.
- Understanding NP practice patterns is essential for healthcare planning and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the practice patterns of nurse practitioners (NPs) in Tennessee.
- To describe client demographics, health problems, and therapeutic services provided by NPs.
- To compare NP practice with national data from office-based physicians.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 680 clients seen by primary care NPs in Tennessee was analyzed.
- Data collection utilized an instrument adapted from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS).
- Findings were compared with a national survey of office-based physicians across five key areas.
Main Results:
- NPs in Tennessee tended to care for younger and female clients.
- NPs performed fewer office surgical procedures compared to physicians.
- NPs provided a higher proportion of health teaching and counseling interventions.
Conclusions:
- NP practice in Tennessee exhibits distinct characteristics in client demographics and intervention focus.
- Similarities exist between NP and physician practice, but key differences warrant attention.
- Findings highlight the unique contribution of NPs to primary care, particularly in patient education.