Problem
An article in a special edition of Time speaks of the shortages of healthcare practitioners in rural America. In Kansas, for example, more than half of the counties are underserved for health care. Two nurse practitioners began the Kansas Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program to prepare nurse practitioners who would serve in these rural areas. The plan is not without problems, however, because physicians do not want to give up their exclusive privilege to write prescriptions. The result is that the nurse practitioners are forced to develop a procedure with a physician (who never sees the client) to determine which drugs will be prescribed and for which conditions. The prescription must bear the name of the physician rather than the nurse practitioner who ordered it.
a) Can such a practice inhibit the quality of care? Explain.
b) Discuss whether "truf battles" as the one described in this article, between physicians and nurse practitioners may affect clients and their care.
c) Does such a practice exist in your local community? Could you envision it happening today?