Bill would give nurse practitioners autonomy [PA]
Posted over 9 years ago by Nicholas M Perrino
"[Eugene] Lucas, [a nurse practitioner] and some other proponents of a proposed law making its way through the state legislature say it could help people who need mental health assistance by allowing nurse practitioners to practice without the oversight of a doctor. The bill, which is in committee in both the state House and Senate, has its detractors. Legislators said it would probably stay in committee until the state's budget crisis is addressed.
Under the current system, nurse practitioners can prescribe medicine, diagnose illnesses and provide other medical services. However, they have to do so in a contractual relationship with a medical doctor who oversees prescriptions.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society isn't supporting the bill.
Saying the doctor-patient relationship is the 'cornerstone of American medicine,' society president Scott Shapiro said the best approach to health remains a team-based approach with the doctor at the head.
He was quick to add that he didn't want people to think the society is against nurse practitioners.
'They're a very valuable part of the team,' he said.
...proponents of the change say this would help provide more access to medical care in rural areas.
A point of contention with the bill for the medical society is the amount of training nurse practitioners receive compared to medical doctors. While nurse practitioners have received graduate level studies and additional hours of clinical work, the amount of hours differs between nurse practitioners and doctors. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, a nurse practitioner spends between 2,800 to 5,350 hours in residency while a family physician will have gone through 20,700 to 21,700 hours.
If the legislature passes the law, Pennsylvania will become the 22rd state to give nurse practitioners autonomy.