SPECIALIST

HOW IT WORKS

All specialists will be encouraged to provide some primary care or monthly services, especially for patients with chronic diseases that fit with their specialty. All the primary care services should be provided. Physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners can provide any of the missing skills. The specialist physician may elect to hire a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner to provide any services that the doctor himself does not provide.

For instance an ob-gyn specialist could hire a nurse practitioner to help with primary care. They could offer primary care specializing in women’s issues. Some services may vary, depending on the capabilities and experience of the primary care physician and his/her offices in the plan. The intent is for the primary physician to provide as many services as possible.

Some will need retraining to refresh what they learned in medical school about primary care. Primary care is not difficult for physicians that keep up with education and listen to the patients needs. Availability is the key to giving good care.