This huge gap in the regulatory landscape makes it nearly impossible for research to serve as a basis for policy and for policies to inform research. This is particularly surprising considering the fact that there are more than three million registered nurses and nearly 700,000 LPN (sometimes referred to as licensed professional nurses), who constitute the largest category of health professionals. Nurses are the foundation of health service delivery, supporting preventive care, treatment of chronic diseases, and office management. If you're healthy, you may only see your primary care doctor once a year, but if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, you may need more frequent visits.
Having a family doctor gives you the comfort and peace of mind knowing that you can go to a reliable source for all of your family's healthcare needs. In fact, the most common classification in the entire series of laws on the field of professional practice was “without information”. And sometimes, women may choose an obstetrician and gynecologist as their only primary care provider if they are in good health. Variations in laws on the scope of practice, which regulate whether health professionals can prescribe, diagnose, develop care plans and even administer eye drops, have created a labyrinth of restrictions on policies and practices that are difficult to understand, not only for nurses, but also for health systems and researchers.
Routine checkups with the same doctor can help identify health problems earlier, keeping you healthier and happier and saving you money on medical expenses. However, the main difference between pediatricians and family medicine doctors is that pediatricians focus exclusively on children's health care. While your obstetrician and gynecologist can address all of your women's health needs, in addition to providing you with some general preventive care, such as an annual flu shot, your primary care doctor can help you when you're sick or have questions about your general health. In addition, if you need more specialized care for a medical condition, a primary care doctor can expertly guide you on the next steps to take and connect you with the right specialist.
This center is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, whose main objective is to provide “technical assistance to states and organizations that participate in health personnel planning.” As the shift from volume to value continues, a key element is empowering patients to understand their rights and privileges in all healthcare settings, if they so choose. Improving data quality and increasing the evidence base surrounding laws concerning the scope of professional practice of registered nurses, long-term nurses and other health professionals will provide the basis for more than just policies at the state level. Choosing the right primary care doctor is an important step in promoting your overall health and well-being. A primary care doctor is the person you can trust to help you manage a wide variety of health care needs, both routine and expected.
