Physician’s Weekly, along with ShereeseM, MS/MBA, hosted another #PWChat on Wednesday, Sept. 13 that focused on physician assistants and nurse practitioners and, more importantly, how to incorporate them into practice.
We dove into topics of the advantages to a medical practice in integrating an NP or PA, why a solo or group medical practice would be reluctant to integrate an NP or PA, other obstacles that can be expected when integrating an NP or PA, and much more!
You can view our upcoming schedule, or read our other #PWChat recaps here.
Below are the highlights from the chat. You can read the full transcript here.
Question 1
Q1: What advantages are there to a medical practice in integrating a #NursePractitioner (#NP) or #PhysicianAssistant (#PA)?#PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A1 Integrating NPs &/or PAs into practice settings increases accessibility, efficiency, & bridges the transitional gap for patients #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
Can you elaborate, in 140 characters or less, what you mean by bridging the transitional gap?#PWChat https://t.co/jYjU8wRqo9
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
Sure, Nurse practitioners have bed-side exp & exp w/ nursing staff. They speak multi-discipline languages in way patients understand #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
Question 2
Q2: Why would a solo or group practice be reluctant to integrating a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant?#PWChat #NP #PA
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A2 This comes up often, ironically. The lack of specialized training is an obstacle. #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A2 Also, communication between staff can be negatively impacted when new roles are added #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
Question 3
Q3: What other obstacles can be expected when integrating a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant?#PWChat #NP #PA
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A3 Shifting roles can be a challenge for existing staff, particularly when practice leaders don’t include staff in decision making #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
So a nurse may feel further down the totem pole, so to speak?#PWChat https://t.co/YFIkJG8HVs
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
Even support staff, at times, when blindsided w. added staff can feel un-empowered or unsure #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
Question 4
Q4: How should a medical practice plan for the integration of a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant?#PWChat #NP #PA
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A4 I compare it to moving in the new step parent; there has to be a strategy, starting with “the talk” #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A4 Once practice leaders consider budget implications and workflow, they must inform the staff and answer all questions #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A4 Planning is vital. Consider financial impact of adding an NP or PA. Define scope of practice (very important) #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A4 helping in first level attention like chronic desease control such diabetes to avoid renal failure for example …#PWChat
— Maria AntonietaDiaz (@MdAntonieta) September 14, 2017
Question 5
Q5: What should be taken into account in regard to role definitions when integrating a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant?#PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A5 Where many practices fail is looking at new role as just a way to ease patient flow. That’s a waste of an NPs/PAs skills #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
NPs can play triage role,which can, in theory, serve patients, reduce costs & improve efficiency. PAs can advise referring physician #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A5 PAs & NPs may have subspecialty training and/or
unique procedural skills that can make practices more valuable to patients #PWChat— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
Question 6
Q6: What should be taken into account in regard to care models when integrating a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant?#PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A6 Practices should consider, “what do we want this model to look like. ACO’s offer unique ops to integrate NPs & PAs into new roles #pwchat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A6 Teaching models are now options for practices who integrate NPs & PAs into setting #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
Question 7
Q7: What should be taken into account in regard to collaboration when integrating a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant?#PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A7 Collaborating among disciplines!!! NPs are uniquely qualified to tell the whole story regarding care continuum #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
NPs and PAs are perfect beacons for mgt of chronic care patients and offer opportunities for smaller practices to grow #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A7 NPs can collaborate best on patient narratives, alleviates the “lost in translation” syndrome we see between disciplines #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A7 profile functions of health team… strategic , tactic, operative plans to avoid errors .#PWChat
— Maria AntonietaDiaz (@MdAntonieta) September 14, 2017
Question 8
Q8: How else can the obstacles of integrating a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant be overcome?#PWChat #NP #PA
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A8 Some areas not looked at are budgets. Overcome possible financial burdens of adding PAs/NPs by having an entrance strategy #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A8 Most practices will ask, “can we afford a NP/PA?” when they should be asking, “can we sustain a NP/PA?” #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
Question 9
Q9: What qualities/competencies does/should a medical practice look for in a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant?#PWChat #NP #PA
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A9 Credentialing is vital. NPs and PAs need to have at least 1 yr “in-practice” before being hired. #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A9 If a NP/PA doesn’t communicate well in an interview, that’s not going to change in practice. Look for a better fit #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
Question 10
Q10: Where/how can integrating a #NursePractitioner or #PhysicianAssistant improve workflows clinically & administratively?#PWChat #PA #NP
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) September 14, 2017
A10 Workflows are improved when the physician is less tired and patients aren’t waiting as long for care. #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
A10 NPs & PAs can improve admin workflows by understanding reimbursement for non-phys& they usually know state limitation of scope #PWChat
— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) September 14, 2017
