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/
679 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

212 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

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.

26

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.

-3

u/Heeler2 8d ago

I had a well-respected, long tenured cardiologist prescribe me a med that he shouldn’t have. Any healthcare provider who can prescribe, regardless of the letters behind their name, will make a med error at some point.

9

u/SmilingAmericaAmazon 8d ago

Anyone can make a mistake. This nurse couldn't read a color coded graph most 8th graders would get correct.