In my series on retail clinics, I discussed that these types of clinics are staffed by physician assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs), also referred to as non-physician providers. However, it is important for patients to know that PAs and NPs are not only found in retail clinics. In fact, if you have visited your family physician, OB/GYN or even dermatologist lately, you may have seen a non-physician provider rather than your regular physician.

While some patients have gotten used to seeing their PA/NP on a regular basis, others are still skeptical. Therefore, it is valuable to discuss who are PAs/NPs and what they do.

Physician Assistants are healthcare professionals that deliver healthcare services under the supervision of a physician. They diagnose and treat illnesses, write prescriptions in all 50 states, order and interpret tests, and can conduct physicals and counsel patients on prevention. Their education typically consists of 2-3 years of specific graduate studies after a bachelor degree.

Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses that offer a broad range of healthcare services but do not need to practice under the supervision of a physician. Their scope of practice is very similar to that of PAs, but their education consists of an RN (Registered Nurse) degree and a 2-year graduate degree.

The numbers of PAs and NPs have been steadily increasing in the US. Research shows that these providers cost their employers about half as much as generalist physicians and have been shown to provide as good or better quality of care. Moreover, patients seen by PAs and NPs are often as or more satisfied with their care as those seen by physicians.

So the next time you call your physicians’ office for an appointment, if they tell you that you will be seeing the PA or NP, don’t freak out! These are trained healthcare professionals, and chances are they will answer your questions and spend more time with you than your super-busy doc. And if we all see our PA/NP more and our physician less, we will be saving our healthcare system a bunch of money, and thus doing our part in healthcare reform!