title: Client characteristics and practice patterns of nurse practitioners and physicians.
abstract: This study's purpose was to describe the practice patterns of nurse practitioners (NPs) in Tennessee--specifically, the demographic characteristics and health problems of their clients and the therapeutic services they provide. A random sample of NPs practicing 20 or more hours per week in primary care in Tennessee provided data on a total of 680 clients seen during one selected day of care. An instrument adapted from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) allowed comparison of the NP findings with a national survey of office-based physicians in five areas: client demographics, client health status, diagnostic tests ordered, therapeutic interventions provided, and client disposition. Although many similarities were seen, differences included the tendency of NPs to care for more younger and female clients, to perform fewer office surgical procedures, and to provide more health teaching/counseling interventions.
authors: Department of Professional Roles/Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
authors: N B
authors: NB
authors: Moody
authors: P L
authors: PL
authors: Smith
authors: L L
authors: LL
authors: Glenn
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee