Jean FarleyMay 26. 2015 2:04pmJean Farley20150526/article/20150516/MAGAZINE/305169959
It was discouraging to read this article and note that not a single administrator mentioned the use of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN's), such as nurse practitioners and nurse midwives, as at least a partial solution to filling the need in rural communties for primary care, wellness care, women's health and prenatal care and episodic/urgent care. The research clearly demonstrates that these specially-prepared nurses give as good--- and sometimes better--- primary and episodic care, as well as manage chronic, stable health problems. Of course, incentives will be needed to attract these graduate-level educated and nationally certified nurses, just as rural areas offer incentives to physicians to practice in rural outlying areas. Also, state legislatures and insurance commissions will also need to ensure that laws allow for APRN's to be eligible for reimbursement for their services by third party and government-sponsored insurance plans. I urge health planners in these areas to consider developing delivery models that combine the use of APRN's with regional health partners, such as physician specialists and regional hospitals. Such partners can serve as a planned, referral network for patients whose health care needs require a level of care that does not fall within the scope of practice of an APRN.
1 Readers' Comments
It was discouraging to read this article and note that not a single administrator mentioned the use of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN's), such as nurse practitioners and nurse midwives, as at least a partial solution to filling the need in rural communties for primary care, wellness care, women's health and prenatal care and episodic/urgent care. The research clearly demonstrates that these specially-prepared nurses give as good--- and sometimes better--- primary and episodic care, as well as manage chronic, stable health problems. Of course, incentives will be needed to attract these graduate-level educated and nationally certified nurses, just as rural areas offer incentives to physicians to practice in rural outlying areas. Also, state legislatures and insurance commissions will also need to ensure that laws allow for APRN's to be eligible for reimbursement for their services by third party and government-sponsored insurance plans. I urge health planners in these areas to consider developing delivery models that combine the use of APRN's with regional health partners, such as physician specialists and regional hospitals. Such partners can serve as a planned, referral network for patients whose health care needs require a level of care that does not fall within the scope of practice of an APRN.