Another disagreement between professions

While the relationship between physicians and nurse practitioners is understood to be collaborative, there are some tensions. KFF Health News published an article about disagreements with regards to geriatric care. Understandably, there is a shortage of care providers for the elderly, and more places are turning to nurse practitioners to provide care. However, the article notes that "the American Medical Association and its partners lobbied against what they see as 'scope creep' in the expanded roles of nurse practitioners and other health workers."

Interestingly, the article notes that there are studies showing that care teams with nurse practitioners had similar or better patient outcomes at similar or lower costs than teams without a nurse practitioner (the American Medical Association referred to a study that physician-led teams resulted in lower costs). No one disagrees that physicians have more training, but a lack of availability of physician care makes a strong case for turning to nurse practitioners. The American Medical Association believes there is a shortage of physicians and thinks that shortage should be addressed more directly (by opening more residency slots).