BONUS EPISODE: Webinar on NP/ PA Unsupervised Practice of Medicine (UPM) Legislative Trends
Rebekah Bernard discusses the legislative trends and impacts of allowing non-physician practitioners (NPs and PAs) to practice medicine unsupervised. She highlights the extensive training and hours required for physicians compared to the significantly less training for NPs and PAs. Bernard explains how legislative changes have allowed NPs and PAs to practice independently in many states, often with less experience and training compared to physicians. She delves into the history of physician shortage concerns, influenced by flawed reports from the 1980s that led to restricted physician production and the promotion of NPs and PAs as substitutes. Bernard outlines the growth of NP and PA roles, the diluted quality of NP education, and the increasing trend of independent practice. The talk also addresses the disparities in healthcare quality and outcomes when care is provided by non-physician practitioners instead of physicians. Bernard advocates for prioritizing the production of properly trained physicians and ensuring physician-led care as well as holding NP leadership accountable for maintaining educational standards.PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
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"My NP education was not designed for independent practice": From RN to NP to Physician
Dr. Denise Weiss always wanted to be a physician, but circumstances led her into nursing. She earned an associate's degree as a registered nurse, and then became a family nurse practitioner. After several years of practice, she realized that her education had not prepared her for independent practice, and she decided to return to school to become a physician. Now a practicing anesthesiologist, Dr. Weiss explains the differences between nursing and medical education, and why physician-led care matters.PatientsAtRisk.comGet the books, available in paperback, eBook, and Audible: Patients at Risk: https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164Imposter Doctors: https://www.amazon.com/Imposter-Doctors-Patients-at-Risk/dp/1627344438/PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
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"I have permanent nerve damage after filler by a RN - and the Board of Nursing did nothing about it"
A patient shares her story of receiving the wrong type of filler into her face by a registered nurse, leading to severe and permanent nerve damage. Francesca explains that the RN, who was in NP school at the time, was not being supervised, and worked in a for-profit clinic owned by a non-physician.While some may argue, "Let the Buyer Beware," Francesca believes that patients are not be in the position to fully understand the qualifications of clinicians being permitted to perform medical procedures, and asks legislators to protect patients like her.Tell us your story: https://www.physiciansforpatientprotection.org/patient-resources/tell-us-your-story/Learn more: PatientsAtRisk.comPhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
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AAPA survey claims that physicians support PA independent practice
In February 2025, the AAPA published a press release entitled: 'AAPA Releases Survey Showing Physician Support for Removing Barriers to PA Practice.' According to AAPA President Jason Prevelige (DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA), the survey proved that, “Physicians recognize the need for change. It’s time to modernize these laws so healthcare teams can focus on what matters most, patient care.” But what did this survey REALLY show? Chandani Patel DeZure, MD, joins me to unpack the details.Links:https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2025/02/aapa-releases-survey-showing-physician-support-for-removing-barriers-to-pa-practice/https://www.aapa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AAPA_Morning-Consult-Survey.pdfJoin us! PhysiciansForPatientProtection.orgLearn more: https://www.amazon.com/Imposter-Doctors-Patients-at-Risk/dp/1627344438PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
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New study: 7.4% of EDs are staffed by NP/PAs with NO physician on-site
Emergency physician Dr. Deborah Fletcher is an author of the first study to evaluate physician presence in Emergency Departments across the country. She discusses the findings, including that 7.4% of all EDs have NO physician on-site, and of those, 3% have no ability for the NP/PA staffing the ED to discuss patient care with a physician.Emergency physician Dr. Mercy Hylton discusses the dangers of this practice, including concerns from nurse researchers regarding variability and lack of standards for nurse practitioners working in EDs, and her effort to help Indiana become the first state to require that all emergency departments must have a physician on-site. https://www.jacepopen.com/article/S2688-1152(25)00008-6/fulltexthttps://www.journalofnursingregulation.com/article/S2155-8256(22)00010-2/abstractSend me an email through the contact link www.PatientsAtRisk.comPhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
Patients at Risk exposes the political maneuvering and corporate greed that has led to the replacement of physicians by lesser trained practitioners, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants. As corporations seek to save money and government agencies aim to increase constituent access, minimum qualifications for our nation’s healthcare guardians continue to decline—with deadly consequences. This is a story that has not yet been told, and one that has dangerous repercussions for all Americans.
New Zealand