PRACTICE CHARACTERISTICS AND SATISFACTION OF CONTEMPORARY NONPHYSICIAN PROVIDERS

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.