Dive Brief:
- Doctors and nurses are debating a New York bill that would remove the need for experienced nurse practitioners to have written agreements with doctors to see patients.
- NPs argue that requiring a written agreement is outdated and can jeopardize an NP's practice if one of the physicians with whom they have an agreement leaves.
- Doctors disagree as to whether the proposed regulatory changes are a good idea; some say that the change would disrupt successful team-based care practices already in place.
Dive Insight:
Personally, I don't see how the lack of a written agreement prevents doctors from forming -- or continuing to maintain -- strong relationships with a care team. Also, even if a care team is the best way to deliver care, isn't it better for patients to have some form of treatment, even from an individual NP, than little or no access to care due to shortages of practitioners? This bill seems to be simply acknowledging the reality of a difficult situation.