MCNP President Responds to Boston Globe Editorial on the Primary Care Crisis
Posted on 5/24/2024
As you may have read, the Boston Globe editorial board published an editorial earlier this week about the crisis in primary care with a focus on primary care physicians. The editorial did not mention Nurse Practitioners and reflected a gross misunderstanding of the roles of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Associates as clinicians and essential members of the primary care work force.
MCNP President, Laura Black, submitted the letter below to the editor, with our response. Of note, it was limited to 200 words as per submission requirements.
If you are a primary care provider, we encourage you to reach out the Boston Globe and share your thoughts about the editorial which can be read here.
MCNP President, Laura Black, submitted the letter below to the editor, with our response. Of note, it was limited to 200 words as per submission requirements.
If you are a primary care provider, we encourage you to reach out the Boston Globe and share your thoughts about the editorial which can be read here.
Dear Editor,
I found the recent editorial on the crisis facing primary care to be thought-provoking and was surprised that Nurse Practitioners (NPs) were omitted from the discission.
I found the recent editorial on the crisis facing primary care to be thought-provoking and was surprised that Nurse Practitioners (NPs) were omitted from the discission.
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there are over 385,000 NPs in the U.S. with over seventy percent delivering primary care. They are responsible for over 1 billion patient visits annually and are the fastest-growing group of primary care providers in Massachusetts.
The editorial's suggestion that "Ensuring primary care offices are fully staffed with nurses and physician assistants would let physicians focus on clinical tasks” implies a lack of understanding about the roles of NPs and Physician Associates (PAs). NPs provide comprehensive care, blending clinical expertise with an emphasis on health management, and are often the healthcare provider of choice for many patients due to their accessibility and high-quality care.
I applaud Senator Cindy Friedman for advancing legislation to reform primary care reimbursement that will invest in primary care, as it will improve patient outcomes across the Commonwealth.
To fully address the primary care crisis and strengthen our primary care work force, we must advocate for adequate compensation and administrative support for ALL primary care providers – Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Associates alike.
Sincerely,
Laura Black, DNP-c, FNP
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and President, Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners