opinion
AANP president: Editorial presented outdated view of care delivery
LETTER — Posted Feb. 4, 2013
Regarding “Health care teams must be led by physicians” (Editorial, Jan. 7): Your editorial reflects a point of view that is out of step with new and evolving health care delivery models, and the current and future health care needs of the country.
The overlapping and complementary skills of today’s diverse range of health professionals make hierarchical, physician-centric structures unnecessary. In fact, they hinder health care access, a major issue as states look to address the shortage of primary care providers and simultaneously prepare for increased demand for health care services stemming from implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Instead of seeking to maintain the status quo, the American Medical Association and other leading professional associations should support efforts that empower health professionals to practice to their full potential and put patient care needs first.
— Angela Golden, DNP, president, American Assn. of Nurse Practitioners, Munds Park , Ariz.
