Physicians and nurse practitioners: do they provide equivalent health care?

Data from 40 patients attending a hypertension clinic staffed by physicians were compared to data from 40 patients attending a hypertension clinic staffed by nurses over a period of 15 months. Nurses appeared to have more success in handling obesity and to achieve somewhat better control of hypertension. Attrition rate was 50 per cent, but particularly high in patients not receiving medication in the physician clinic. There were no differences in appointment keeping.