Nonphysician health care providers in pediatrics.

Abstract

This paper has identified nurse practitioners, physician's assistants and, potentially, nurse-midwives, as nonphysician health care providers who might have a significant impact on physician manpower requirements in pediatrics in the United States. These providers are capable of providing well child care, as well as care for minor illnesses. Patient acceptance and the quality of care rendered by these providers appear to be high. Physician acceptance is also high, especially when the physician has actually employed a nonphysician provider. State legislation and reimbursement procedures may interfere with the full utilization of nonphysician providers, but when nurse practitioners and physician assistants are employed in pediatric care, they deliver a wide range of services efficiently and economically. There are estimated to be a total of approximately 5,500 nonphysician providers specializing in pediatric care, but other nonphysician providers who may also care for children are discussed. The total number of these providers for 1980 is estimated at 7,232 and for 1990, at 15,512.