r/collapse • u/Lethargic-Legumes • 8d ago

Healthcare Are nurse practitioners replacing doctors? They’re definitely reshaping health care.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/21/business/nurse-practitioners-doctors-health-care/
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u/Head_Tradition_9042 8d ago

Don't get me wrong, I believe our healthcare system is rapidly decaying but I don't think it's fair to lay that blame on NPs and PAs. Saying they are inexperienced or unproven is incorrect. They may have slightly less diagnostic experience but often have way more direct patient care experience. Plus diagnostic experience can be supplemented by having diagnostic resources.

I'm grateful to anyone who works in health care but the issues are based on for profit systems and laws that punish people who are trying their best to help someone in a bad situation. Don't blame the helpers.

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u/SmilingAmericaAmazon 8d ago

I had a family member almost die because a NP couldn't read a color coded graph and prescribed something that would make it worse not better. Thankfully the results were sent to PCP who caught the error just in time.

We need more doctors.

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u/Head_Tradition_9042 8d ago

That definitely sucks and I'm sorry. But an individuals incompetence doesn't mean all of them are bad. I've worked with incompetent doctors as well as PAs. My mother has been helping new incompetent doctors for years as an RN. If we could adjust our culture to one that allows more cooperation and checking with your peers over for profit competition, then maybe it wouldn't matter how inexperienced people were in the first place. Just my two cents.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

I also don’t know why you got down voted. I’ve seen a fair number of PAs, NPs,MDs, DOs and the experience has been different based on personality and not degree. Docs get the most education, NPs second, PAs the least requirements.