Issues surrounding the distribution and utilization of nurse nonphysician providers in rural America.
The cost and quality of health care is an ever-increasing concern. Responsible people are looking for logical solutions. One solution is the increased involvement of nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives in the delivery of health care services to patients. This paper reviews the supply, education, and responsibilities of nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, government studies of the need for nonphysician providers, the cost-effectiveness of health care delivered by nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives, and impediments to practice.
Conway-Welch
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School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240.
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D007355:Insurance, Nursing Services; D006278:Medicare; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000191:economics; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012423:Rural Health; D014481:United States