Patient Acceptance of the Air Force Physician Assistant
Abstract
Shortfalls in physician manning have led the Air Force to experiment with physician extenders such as Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. These new health professionals extend physician manpower by performing a wide variety of diagnostic and treatment services under the supervision of a physician. One important question is the extent to which patients will accept such medical services from these new types of practitioners. This study investigates patient acceptance of Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. Based on an analysis of both usage rates and attitudes, the study finds wide patient acceptance of these extender programs and high quality of care ratings. On the other hand, a small minority of patients, about one-sixth or one-fifth, are opposed to PAs and NPs even after some contact with them. The opposition appears to be confined to specific functions of the extender, such as physical exams or treating more serious internal problems. It is concluded that substitution of Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner services for certain traditional physician services should be successful from the standpoint of patient acceptance. However, some allowance should be made in manning ratios for the small minority of patients who are strongly opposed to receiving certain types of care from extenders.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA080997
Entities
People
- David J. Armor
Organizations
- RAND Corporation