Are older patients satisfied with physician assistants and nurse practitioners?
Consumers’ assessments of their medical providers are an important aspect of effective care because satisfied patients are more likely to follow through on a clinician’s recommendations than are dissatisfied patients.1,2 PAs and NPs are increasingly providing patient services, especially primary care for vulnerable populations.3 For example, as of 2002, an estimated 110,000 PAs and NPs were clinically active, making them approximately one sixth of the medical workforce. Of this number, at least 5% of PAs and NPs were working in the specialty of geriatrics.4 Reasons postulated for the increased number of PAs and NPs practicing in geriatrics include an aging population with its increased demands for services and resources, coupled with a shortage of physicians willing to specialize in geriatrics. As a result, virtually all states, along with the federal government, have fashioned legislation that enables the PA and NP to work in traditional physician settings. This national health workfo
