According to physicians and APRNs surveyed by Medscape, patients have mixed opinions on physician assistants and nurse practitioners working independently.
For its 2022 "Evolving Scope of Practice" report, Medscape surveyed 750 physicians, 750 nurse practitioners and 770 physician assistants in the U.S. between June 6 and Aug. 9. The report mostly focused on physicians' working relationships with PAs and NPs, but APRNs were asked to weigh in on some questions as well.
Here are patients' reactions to NPs and PAs working independently, according to surveyed APRNs:
PAs:
Somewhat favorable to very favorable: 41 percent
Neutral: 32 percent
Somewhat unfavorable to very unfavorable: 27 percent
NPs:
Somewhat favorable to very favorable: 45 percent
Neutral: 27 percent
Somewhat unfavorable to very unfavorable: 27 percent