Wj. Strickland et Cm. Hanson, PRACTICE CHARACTERISTICS AND SATISFACTION OF CONTEMPORARY NONPHYSICIAN PROVIDERS, Family & community health, 18(3), 1995, pp. 78-88
Health care reform stresses the importance of professional collaborati
on. This study examines the practice characteristics and satisfaction
of nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assist
ants in Georgia. Overall, commitment to treating lower-income individu
als was high, and commitment to providing preventive services was low.
Relative to these professions, nurse practitioners were most likely t
o work in public health settings; certified nurse midwives focused on
adult care to the exclusion of healthy children; and physician assista
nts were most likely to work in urban settings and least likely to tre
at lower-income clients. Occupational satisfaction was high, but conce
rns centered on salary, stress, administration, and role expectations.
Recommendations for expanding the role of nonphysician providers are
provided.