Changing house staff attitudes toward nurse practitioners during their residency training.

This study examines the hypothesis that increased physician contact with nurse practitioners (NPs) during residency training would ecourage positive house staff attitudes. House staff expectations of and attitudes toward NPs were assessed at three points during the residency. Data indicated a more positive evaluation of NPs by house staff later in the residency program, as shown by: 1) physician expectations and valuation of NPs, 2) attitudes concerning future employment of NPs, and 3) the extent and capacity of NP utilization by residents.