Barkauskas VH, Chen SP, Chen EH, Ohlson VM. Health problems encountered by nurse-practitioners and physicians in obstetric-gynecologic ambulatory care clinics.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 1981;
140:393-400. [PMID:
7246654 DOI:
10.1016/0002-9378(81)90032-6]
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Abstract
This study documents the distribution of health problems managed by obstetric-gynecologic nurse-practitioners (OB-GYN NPs) and obstetrician-gynecologists in community-based ambulatory care settings, and examines the effects of provider group on the distribution of health problems. A proportional sampling technique was used in selecting a sample of 3,873 visits for analysis from a total of 5,889 patient visits made to three community-based clinics during an 18-week period from February to June, 1978. A Patient Encounter Form was devised to record basic encounter data and the health problems managed by providers. The International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9-CM) was used as the coding system. Results indicated: (1) in each clinic, the distribution of health problems based on the three-digit headings of ICD-9-CM differed significantly between the OB-GYN NPs and the obstetrician-gynecologists; (2) the distributions of frequently reported health problems were clinically similar for OB-GYN NPs and obstetrician-gynecologists; and (3) the distributions of health problems with V codes were clinically similar for the two provider groups. Data indicate the OB-GYN NP caseloads are similar to those of obstetrician-gynecologists in frequently managed health problems and in wellness emphases. Nurse-practitioners are appropriate collaborators with obstetrician-gynecologists in the provision of primary health care for women.
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