Question

Describe the costs and benefits of systems that use non-physicians as primary-care providers.

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Answer 1

Costs and benefits of non physicians as primary Healthcare providers.

with the increasing population , especially the aging population, there is a need for increased demand of healthcare. This means more requirement of physicians.

The trainings and education of physicians is expensive leading to them being an important resource for the society and their shortage is further leading to problems due to the fact that the government has assured affordable health benefits to all.

This leads to the needs being fulfilled by non physicians like nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

Nurse practitioners are efficient when there is need for health check ups or care and other such needs which require less Specialisation of the general physician. Long term illnesses could also be well looked by the nurse practitioners.

This directs their efforts to more complex cases and advanced cases which hence produces efficient results.

On the other hand , in rural areas where the number of doctors are less or in higher demand, physician assistant plays a major role in reducing the deficiency of doctors in these areas and reducing the waiting line and providing prompt treatment to patients. This is working as an advantage to both the patients and the healthcare sector.

But it also has certain costs ie

The reduced medical bills and expense, ie the revenue reduction for the hospitals and healthcare centres because instead of specialised physicians , nurse practitioners or physician assistant are providing services.

Also sometimes the quality might be compromised or timely intervention of physician may not be available which could have adverse effects.