¶ … Quality of Care Provided by Nurse Practitioners The use of nurse practitioners in providing primary care services has increased in the recent past as the number of trained NPs also increases. This study focuses on examining the cost-effectiveness and quality of care provided by nurse practitioners given their increased used in the primary care setting. The research was carried out on a group of ten female participants with a background in the healthcare profession. This paper provides an analysis and discussion of the data collected from interviews of these participants. The study shows why nurse practitioners provide high quality primary care services that are characterized by high levels of patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Cost Effectiveness and Quality of Care Provided by Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners (NP) are being utilized as a point of contact in delivery of primary care for patients throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Trained nursing practitioners who can deliver in-person primary healthcare services for patients are gradually increasing. While patients provide positive feedback about the nursing roles, there is still a debate whether nursing practitioners can deliver cost-effective patients' treatment compared with other healthcare professionals. Additionally, concerns on the effectiveness of nurse practitioners in delivering patient care are also centered on their capabilities to deliver quality healthcare that meet patients' needs (Venning et al., 2000).

Purpose of Study

This study focused on examining the cost effectiveness and quality of care provided by nurse practitioners. The research was carried out on the premise that the number of trained nurse practitioners is gradually increasing at a time when these professionals are increased used in delivering primary care to patients.

Research Questions and Answers

To achieve the goals of this ethnographic study, the researcher developed some research questions that were filled out by research participants. The research questions were given to a group of ten participants who helped in determining the quality of care provided by nurse practitioners. The research questions and their answers were as follows:

Research Questions:

1. When you go to your regular primary care office, who do you regularly see MD or NP?

Respondent 1. I see a nurse practitioner.

Respondent 2. I usually see an NP

Respondent 3. I always see my MD when I go to my primary care office.

Respondent 4. I regularly see an MD.

Respondent 5. I see my MD.

Respondent 6. I see my MD.

Respondent 7. I see my MD.

Respondent 8. I see either MD or NP, whoever is available.

Respondent 9. I see my MD most of the time.

Respondent 10. I see my NP.

2. What are your feelings seeing a Nurse Practitioner as your PCP?

Respondent 1. The NP has more available appointments and I see her for minor illness like sore throat, cold symptoms, rash, allergy, etc. I would see my PCP for my annual physical exam.

Respondent 2.I have no problem seeing a nurse practitioner as my PCP.

Respondent 3. At first, I was not comfortable seeing an NP, but through the visit, I felt that she was qualified to see me.

Respondent 4. I had an overwhelming feeling of apprehension.

Respondent 5. I felt that I was not going to get the same care as my PCP, but it turned out that I got a better care.

Respondent 6. I was a little hesitant to see the NP, but since I need to be seen, I went and was satisfied with the care I received.

Respondent 7. I was feeling anxious to see an NP.

Respondent 8. It didn't bother me.

Respondent 9. I was prejudiced because I will be seeing a provider who is not a physician.

I prefer to see an NP as my PCP.
3. What is your perception of receiving care from a Nurse Practitioner?

Respondent 1. My NP is excellent and very thorough.

Respondent 2. NP listened to suggestion how to control my BP better.

Respondent 3. NP has more time to answer questions and explain everything.

Respondent 4. Care received from NP was fine.

Respondent 5. I like the care received from the NP because of her experience.

Respondent 6. NP is great, helped me more than PCP. NP is never in a rush.

Respondent 7. It doesn't bother me at all.

Respondent 8. Being an NP student, my perception is slightly bias.

Respondent 9. NP spend more time, obtained detailed medical history.

Respondent 10. I felt that NP is more helpful, not in a hurry to get out of the room.

4. Have you ever received treatment from the NP?

Respondent 1. Yes. Recently I had sinusitis (and she was very good) and gave me the medicine I needed.

Respondent 2. Yes, I have received many treatments from my NP.

Respondent 3. Yes, I have received treatment

Respondent 4. No, I never received a treatment from an NP.

Respondent 5. Yes, I have received treatment from the NP.

Respondent 6. Yes, I have received treatment from my NP.

Respondent 7. Yes, I have received treatment from the NP.

Respondent 8. Yes, I have received a treatment from the NP.

Respondent 9. Yes, I have received treatment from the NP.

Respondent 10. Yes, I have received treatment from the NP.

5. What did you think after receiving care from the nurse practitioner?

Respondent 1. I appreciate my NP, she talks to me in detail and seems to have more time to answer my questions.

Respondent 2. I personally prefer to see an NP.

Respondent 3. I enjoyed seeing an NP. She was thorough and effective.

Respondent 4. Care was fine.

Respondent 5. I feel like the NP have more time to discuss the issues with me than the MD. I feel the care received from NP is more personal.

Respondent 6. She knows her stuff; she was very helpful.

Respondent 7. I appreciate my NP, she talks to me in detail, and seems to have more time to answer questions.

Respondent 8. The NP knows what she is doing.

Respondent 9. I think the NP is excellent, she has explained the problem very well.

Respondent 10. Care was excellent.

6. What was your reason for seeking care when you saw an NP? (primary, stat health, specialist)

Respondent 1. I was not feeling well. I had a cough and cold.

Respondent 2. I saw NP for general physical and follow up of blood pressure which is not controlled.

Respondent 3. I saw NP for checkup, for primary care.

Respondent 4. I saw the NP for primary care as my doctor is not available.

Respondent 5. I saw the NP for OBGYN concern.

Respondent 6. I saw an NP for headache and cold.

Respondent 7. I saw NP for primary care.

Respondent 8. I see an NP for common cold, headaches, URI and back pain.

Respondent 9. I saw NP for primary care.

Respondent 10. I saw NP for UTI, primary care.

7. How was the result of the treatment you received from the NP?

Respondent 1. The medications the NP prescribed were effective.

Respondent 2. NP provided excellent treatment, great routine exam completed and prescription renewal was obtained. Blood pressure was well controlled.

Respondent 3. Satisfactory, the wait to see an NP is not as long as an MD appointment.

Respondent 4. I didn't get a treatment when I saw the NP.

Respondent 5. The medication the NP prescribed was effective.

Respondent 6. Everything was good.

Respondent 7. The treatment was great. I got relief of my sinus pressure.

Respondent 8. I always get good results…