PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS

This position paper by the American College of Physicians Task Force o n Physician Supply examines expanded roles for physician assistants an d nurse practitioners in light of projected shortages of primary healt h care providers. Meta-analyses and other literature reviews comparing the care provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants wit h that by primary care physicians had methodologic shortcomings that m ade the data difficult to interpret. There were no studies comparing n urse practitioners in independent practice with physicians. Seven poli cy positions are articulated.