Posted on May 31, 2016
Should the VA should use Nurse Practitioners to help ease long waiting times?
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I ask this because I don't understand all the controversy over the issue. Anyone who has used the military health system has received care from Nurse Practitioners. The concept isn't new, I can recall my dependents being treated by NPs back in the 70s. There were never any issues with quality of care and if something came up that a NP couldn't handle a doctor was called in. Seems like a smart move
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 59
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VA needs to look at it like the rural world. We have a clinic. It has a doctor (GP type), PAs, NPs, and a couple RNs. You see whatever level you need to depending on what the issue is. I look at it like I hope I don't need to see the doctor. For around 90% of what's going on, the PA/NP many times have a better handle on it because they see a lot of it. Also the PAs and NPs are more in tune with dealing with patients who are in the medical field too. Doctors like to pronounce. My wife is a respiratory therapist who has ongoing respiratory issues. She just needs to tell the PA/NP what she needs that works and they are more likely to understand sooner than the Doctor. Usually along the line she'll pass on a tidbit of pulmonary information that helps the PA/NP out. They're typically more receptive to it.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Good points. Tend to agree that NPs & PAs seem to have more time available for you than a Dr.
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I have had nothing but great care from PAs and Nurse Practitioners. both with on base and civilian side. In fact, ofter better than from a Dr.
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MCPO Roger Collins
I was assigned a NP years ago, and if I went back today, I would still be seeing her. No issue at Mountain Home VA hospital. Is that a region by region thing or someoneS's imagination?
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SPC Charles Hathaway
I had an NP for awhile and she was outstanding. I asked for her permission to use a pill to substitute Fish Oil for my Cholesterol while Fish Oil was getting bad press. It was an over the counter and she said OK but I might get a bloody nose since it thins the blood. I did get the bloody nose and reduced the dosage to make it work for me and adjusted another blood thinning over the counter med that I was taking. Regular Doctors don't like you using things other than prescription drugs many of which have side effects.
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I don't think it's a big deal at all. Some of the best medical practitioners I know and have worked with back in my medic days, are Nurse Practitioners. When I went for my C&P at the VA I saw a Nurse Practitioner and she was excellent, very thorough and right on with my conditions. Aside from that, as was stated, there are always doctors that can be referenced or brought in on a case if need be. I think it's fine, and would not hesitate to see one at all.
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SFC Terry Wilcox
After retiring I drove big trucks for a while. Only problem I ever had with seeing less than a Dr., was after my shoulder had to be rebuilt, and my ability to safely function, needed to be certified by a medical professional - having a person strip naked, stand in the middle of a room, feet, shoulder width apart, and the PA stand in front of me, then bend at the waist and look under my scrotum... I informed him that he could not see my shoulder from there, he informed me I'd allow him to do as he wished, or he wouldn't sign my papers... He no longer works there! Just to let some know, there is a definite reason an MD needs to be available... that day there was not an MD on duty. But, a well written letter of complaint to corporate accomplished the task.
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