Scope-of-practice reforms can address doctor shortage

Scope-of-practice reforms can address doctor shortage

America is facing a chronic doctor shortage. Solving that problem will require not just more doctors but a much bigger role for advanced-practice nurses in our healthcare system.

A 2021 report found that the United States will need nearly as many as 48,000 more primary care doctors by 2034 to meet patient demand. It’s infeasible to train that many more new doctors over the next decade. We need to make better use of the supply of healthcare professionals we have.

In nearly half of states, “scope-of-practice” laws prevent highly qualified nurse practitioners from delivering basic primary care.

Click to read the full article in the Boston Herald.