Perri Morgan1, Christine Everett2, Esther Hing3. 1. Physician Assistant Division, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, United States. Electronic address: perri.morgan@duke.edu. 2. Physician Assistant Division, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, United States. 3. Division of Health Care Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Community health centers (CHCs) fill a vital role in providing health care to underserved populations. This project compares characteristics of patient visits to nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and physicians in CHCs. METHODS: This study analyzes 2006-2010 annual survey data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey CHC sample, a representative national sample of CHC providers and patient visits. We examine trends in provider mix in CHCs and compare NPs, PAs, and physicians with regard to patient and visit attributes. Survey weights are used to produce national estimates. RESULTS: There were, on average, 36,469,000 patient visits per year to 150,100 providers at CHCs; 69% of visits were to physicians, 21% were to NPs, and 10% were to PAs. Compared to visits to NPs, visits made to physicians and PAs tended to be for chronic disease treatment and for patients whom they serve as primary care providers. Visits to NPs tended to be for preventive care. CONCLUSIONS: This study found more similarities than differences in characteristics of patients and patient visits to physicians, NPs, and PAs in CHCs. When statistical differences were observed, NP patient and visit characteristics tended to be different from those of physicians. IMPLICATIONS: Results provide detailed information about visits to NPs and PAs in a setting where they constitute a significant portion of providers and care for vulnerable populations. Results can inform future workforce approaches.
PURPOSE: Community health centers (CHCs) fill a vital role in providing health care to underserved populations. This project compares characteristics of patient visits to nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and physicians in CHCs. METHODS: This study analyzes 2006-2010 annual survey data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey CHC sample, a representative national sample of CHC providers and patient visits. We examine trends in provider mix in CHCs and compare NPs, PAs, and physicians with regard to patient and visit attributes. Survey weights are used to produce national estimates. RESULTS: There were, on average, 36,469,000 patient visits per year to 150,100 providers at CHCs; 69% of visits were to physicians, 21% were to NPs, and 10% were to PAs. Compared to visits to NPs, visits made to physicians and PAs tended to be for chronic disease treatment and for patients whom they serve as primary care providers. Visits to NPs tended to be for preventive care. CONCLUSIONS: This study found more similarities than differences in characteristics of patients and patient visits to physicians, NPs, and PAs in CHCs. When statistical differences were observed, NP patient and visit characteristics tended to be different from those of physicians. IMPLICATIONS: Results provide detailed information about visits to NPs and PAs in a setting where they constitute a significant portion of providers and care for vulnerable populations. Results can inform future workforce approaches.
Authors: LeRoi S Hicks; A James O'Malley; Tracy A Lieu; Thomas Keegan; Nakela L Cook; Barbara J McNeil; Bruce E Landon; Edward Guadagnoli Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2006 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 6.301
Authors: Bridget Harrison; Diane R Rittenhouse; Robert L Phillips; Kevin Grumbach; Andrew W Bazemore; Marty S Dodoo Journal: Am Fam Physician Date: 2010-01-15 Impact factor: 3.292
Authors: George L Jackson; Shoou-Yih Daniel Lee; David Edelman; Morris Weinberger; Elizabeth M Yano Journal: Prim Care Diabetes Date: 2010-10-25 Impact factor: 2.459
Authors: Ann S O'Malley; Christopher B Forrest; Robert M Politzer; John T Wulu; Leiyu Shi Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2005 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 6.301
Authors: Pamela A Ohman-Strickland; A John Orzano; Shawna V Hudson; Leif I Solberg; Barbara DiCiccio-Bloom; Dena O'Malley; Alfred F Tallia; Bijal A Balasubramanian; Benjamin F Crabtree Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2008 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Perri Morgan; Christine M Everett; Valerie A Smith; Sandra Woolson; David Edelman; Cristina C Hendrix; Theodore S Z Berkowitz; Brandolyn White; George L Jackson Journal: Inquiry Date: 2017-01-01 Impact factor: 1.730