Nursing practices require collaboration between nurse practitioners (NPs) and physicians, and finding a collaborating physician is an essential part of this process. Nurse practitioners known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have completed additional training and education to provide primary and specialized healthcare services.
While NPs are authorized to practice independently in some states, collaboration with a physician is often required to provide the best possible care to patients. This article will explore the nursing practices that require finding a collaborating physician and why collaboration is crucial in these areas.
Primary Care
Primary care is the first point of contact for patients seeking medical care. NPs are vital in providing primary care, including health assessments, diagnosis, and treatment. Collaboration with a physician is essential in primary care, ensuring patients receive the best care possible. Primary care NPs often collaborate with physicians to develop treatment plans, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and manage chronic conditions. In primary care, a collaboration between NPs and physicians can improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and increase patient satisfaction.
Specialized Care
NPs also play a critical role in providing specialized care in cardiology, oncology, and pediatrics. These areas require technical knowledge and expertise that NPs can provide in collaboration with physicians. Collaborating with a physician in specialized care can provide a more comprehensive approach to patient care. For example, an NP specializing in cardiology can collaborate with a cardiologist to develop a treatment plan for a patient with a heart condition.
Acute Care
Acute care refers to medical care provided to patients who require immediate attention. Acute care NPs collaborate with physicians to provide medical care to patients in emergency rooms, intensive care units, and other acute care settings. Collaboration between NPs and physicians in acute care can ensure that patients receive the best care in high-stress and high-risk situations. For example, an NP working in an emergency room may collaborate with a physician to triage patients, diagnose and treat patients, and consult on complex cases.
Chronic Care
Chronic care refers to medical care provided to patients with long-term conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. Collaboration between NPs and physicians is essential in chronic care, ensuring that patients receive ongoing, comprehensive care. NPs working in collaboration with physicians can develop treatment plans, monitor patients’ progress, adjust treatment plans as necessary, and provide education and support to patients and their families.
Mental Health
Mental health care requires collaboration between NPs and physicians to provide comprehensive care to patients with mental health conditions. NPs working in mental health can collaborate with psychiatrists to diagnose and treat patients, develop treatment plans, and monitor patients’ progress. Collaboration between NPs and physicians can improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and increase patient satisfaction in mental health care.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Collaboration ensures that patients receive the best possible care and can improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and increase patient satisfaction. Finding a collaborating physician is essential to nursing practice and requires careful consideration of factors such as location, specialty, and communication style. NPs and physicians who collaborate can provide better care to their patients and help advance the nursing profession.
