Do You Know the Difference Between a Primary Care Physician and a Nurse Practitioner?

A healthcare team includes multiple medical professionals who work together to provide patient care. Care teams include physicians and non-physicians, all of whom perform an important role. As a patient, it’s important to understand the different types of professionals who make up your care team and to make sure that a physician is leading the team.

There is a reason that care teams are led by a physician and when you take a look at the difference in the education and training that physicians and nurse practitioners need, that reason is evident. Nurse practitioners and other non-physicians are a much needed part of your healthcare team, but having a physician overseeing your care is something you can make sure of.