Policy Snapshots

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August 30, 2011
Nurse Practitioners’ Role in Addressing Primary Care Shortages

Primary care doctors are a cornerstone of the healthcare system. They are the first line of defense when we get sick, and they’re who we rely on to manage and coordinate our care when we have more complex health needs. But increasingly we are finding their numbers are not keeping up with the population’s needs, and some geographic areas are facing significant primary care shortages. Already, 65 million Americans live in areas dealing with primary care shortages, with those living in rural areas feeling the shortages most acutely. This month’s policy snapshot, Expanding Scope of Practice: Nurse Practitioners and Primary Care Shortage, examines the potential of nurse practitioners in meeting the growing demand for primary care services.

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