As primary care physician population declines, ranks of nurse practitioners fill the gaps

Healthcare Finance News June 11, 2018
Beth Jones Sanborn

The increases come at a time when physician shortages, especially in primary care, loom large.

While the ranks of primary care physicians continue on the decline, the number of nurse practitioners are on the rise in both rural and nonrural settings making for more diverse practice care teams, according to a new study by Health Affairs.

Approximately 234,000 NPs are licensed in the U.S and can deliver most of the services a physician can. Research has shown the care they deliver is safe and “high quality,” Health Affairs said. The increases come at a time when physician shortages, especially in primary care, loom large.

The study looked at SK&A provider files from 2008-2016 to see the extent to which NPs...

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