Family medicine survey on who employs PAs and NPs

The authors set out to determine what physician and area-level characteristics were associated with working with NPs, PAs, or certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) using a convenience sample of physicians. The data were linked to demographic and practice information collected by the American Board of Family Medicine and with provider information supplied from the National Provider Identifier file aggregated at the primary care service area level. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to determine variables associated with working with NPs, PAs, or CNMs. Of the 3,855 family physicians in our sample, 60% reported routinely working with NPs, PAs, or CNMs. Characteristics positively associated with working with NPs, PAs, or CNMs were providing gynecological care, multispecialty group practice, any rural setting, and higher availability of PAs. Restrictive NP scope of practice laws failed to reach significance. The number of family physicians routinely working with NPs, PAs, and CNMs is increasing, which may allow for improved access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas.