re: How do you feel about Nurse Practitioners?

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The only time i wouldn’t would be if i were seeing a specialist (cardiologist, dermatologist, etc.) for something that goes beyond the scope of primary care. Those specialist MDs went to school for years extra to focus on that one specialty.

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Certainly don’t want to take away from the grueling training of medical school, combined with residency. It is very hard and not a lot of people can do it…….having said that, in my clinical experience, over the years I have completed probably 50,000 biopsies, diagnosed thousands upon thousands of BCC, SCC, and 100s of melanomas. If these patients had waited to see a dermatologist, there would have been increased morbidity and mortality. In addition, I have a strong passion for immunology and have extensive experience with the biologic medications we use for conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. I am equally or even more well versed in these treatments than the MDs in our practice due to my patient population. People should have the option of what type of provider they want to see, but especially in a rural setting they don’t always have that option. Advance practice providers can and do excel in areas other than primary care. You might be surprised to learn that many of the thought leaders in medical specialties are APPs.