Are you comfortable with someone who isn't a physician as your primary care provider?

There was an Op-Ed earlier this week in LA Times on the physician shortage and favorable view of nurse practitioners. Yesterday the paper posted the question "Are you comfortable with someone who isn't a physician as your primary care provider?" Please vote yes - http://www.latimes.com/health/la-me-doctors-20130210,0,1509396.story
For more information about advanced practice registered nurses as primary care provides, click on http://campaignforaction.org/resource/primary-care-key-resources

by Andrea Brassard | February 15, 2013

	Tracelyn Hairston The results of this pole give a sense that we as the nursing profession have to make a point of getting the message out there about the APRNs in this country that are perfectly capable of being primary care providers. Once APRNs are used more readily, hopefully we will see consumer/patient confidence increase for non-physician primary care providers

	Tracelyn Hairston poll*

	Jenna Bristol The results as of today (3/29) is 30% yes, 70% no. "Lawmakers are working on proposals that would enable physician assistants, nurse practitioners, optometrists and pharmacists to diagnose, treat and manage some illnesses." Providing the preceding information then asking if consumers are comfortable with a non-physician primary care provider, now the consumer is thinking about their optometrists treating their Diabetes and Hypertension, or their pharmacists diagnosing glaucoma. Unfortunately I feel this is a poorly worded poll, and is a missed-opportunity of the media to inform the public of the APRN role in primary care and that they have the education and credentials necessary to diagnose, treat and manage.

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