Physician assistants and nurse practitioners. American College of Physicians.

This position paper by the American College of Physicians Task Force on Physician Supply examines expanded roles for physician assistants and nurse practitioners in light of projected shortages of primary health care providers. Meta-analyses and other literature reviews comparing the care provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants with that by primary care physicians had methodologic shortcomings that made the data difficult to interpret. There were no studies comparing nurse practitioners in independent practice with physicians. Seven policy positions are articulated.