[NPInfo] NPR stories

Wed Sep 26 07:41:17 PDT 2007

Barbara,

  I thought that was your area when I heard "Aberdeen".  When you listen to the audio, they seriously make it sound as if it is in the Sahara Desert, or somewhere in the Middle East as being so rural and remote, that it is so difficult to attract doctors. It is amazing. The September issue of JNP Vol 3 No 8 has a pretty indepth article titled "Strategies to Overcome Barriers to Effective Nurse Practitioner and Physician Collaboration".. it gives a good description and comparison of NPs to Physician roles, and speaks of some of the barriers to include: Lack of knowledge about NP role (from physicians), Poor physician attitude,  Lack of respect, Poor communication... The goal of collaborating in the community should mean working together for patient interests, and of course the respect of each profession, but regarding healthcare, it is just undermining and weakening the entire structure with some of these barriers. Communication, such as you mentioned, when you are trying to
 interact can really interfere with quality of patient care, and outcomes.  It is so stressful for patients too as it puts them and familiy often in awkward positions when they get caught in the middle. This is not the case with all physicians of course, I have met a couple specialists recently here in Oregon that have been so supportive, and very open with communication. Carla 

"Barbara C. Phillips" <bphillips at olderwiserwomen.com> wrote:
  I've not yet heard/read this story, and I'll do so later. However, in the
meantime, I can speak somewhat to the shortage here in Aberdeen. While I
hate to sound negative, this is a very "doctor-centric" medical community.

Years ago, before Peninsula took over the community center, there was
another organization that had several NP's. Peninsula came in and the NP's
went aware. They were replaced by PA's. Peninsula is no longer in our
community - SeaMar has now taken over - again, no NP's (that I know of.

At the time of that transition, and before we knew that someone was going to
operate the community clinic - it happened that I opened my practice. I
showed up at the meeting of health care providers (not really invited per
se) and other community stakeholders to let them know I was opening in a few
short weeks. I thought they would be thrilled - after all we were suppose to
be short 10 primary providers! I should have factored in that I had been
trying to establish contact with the person at the hospital who is
responsible for "practice development in the community" (She's an RN by the
way) and who never returned my many calls. Silly me.

Before I opened, there was one other NP owned practice (outside of practice
in a physician owned clinic/office) in this county (at the far reaches of
this rural county). She is closing at the end of this year after being in
practice for 7-8 years. Since I have opened, one other NP has opened an
office in town. We are all experiencing the same thing...being ignored, and
even having pts being told to visit a "real doctor". (I love it when my pts
tell me about it - but then they are the ones who tell them they are seeing
a "real doctor".)

Recently, the "doctor community" has added a 4 or 5 new faces...all of them
are "foreign physicians" with the exception of one I believe. But then, I
get my news from the local newspaper.

And speaking of the newspaper...they have never once published any of my
letters to the editor. All of them have been about how women can access free
care through the BCHP at several locations through the country or other
health positive pieces. Of course, they will take my money when I place an
ad.

As for the NP's in clinics/etc in town...the three of us that are currently
independent never hear from them - ever. I personally get more support from
NP's in our state capitol, 50 miles away. Of course, that does not count
the other two...I think we'll have to come up with a name for our little
bodacious group in October when we meet (I'm sure the names will flow once
we've had that margarita!). 

That's the climate in this rural WA county of 60,000 - through the eyes of
this NP.

Barbara C. Phillips, NP

www.NPBusiness.ORG 

-----Original Message-----
From: npinfo-bounces at nurse.net [mailto:npinfo-bounces at nurse.net] On Behalf
Of Carla Anderson
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 1:06 AM
To: NP Info
Subject: Re: [NPInfo] NPR stories

Paula,

Thanks for the link. That was a very interesting story. Also, on the same
NPR site, there was an audio story of an female IRAQ vet who is 22yrs old
and wants to be a PA, but is suffering from PTSD.. and another audio when
you look up under Health section, of the lack of doctors in
Aberdeen/Bremerton Washington, and the focus is on Peninsula Community
Health Centers and how they are trying to recruit doctors for primary care.
No mention of NPs or PAs as options.. They even talk of incentives such as
giving foreign doctors US citizenship if they go there.. Carla

Paula Sumner wrote:

There is a great story on NPR about an 86yo nurse who served in WW II and
recently was awarded a medal from france. Here is the link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14627960

paula

Paula J. Sumner RN, MSN, HTP, CHt

Healing Touch, Hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Reiki-2

3500 Westgate Dr., Suite 504-G

Durham, NC 27707 

919-490-4656

http://paulajsumner.byregion.net Referral ID#10102918

http://www.justanswer.com/home.asp?r=HolisticNurse&bn=2

http://www.letstalkcounseling.com/sites/paulasumner

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Carla R. Anderson, FNP-C

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Carla R. Anderson, FNP-C
  Healing Presence Family Practice, PC  
  carla_rayne at yahoo.com
  503 819 9726