Providers
At Lincoln Primary Care we use the term provider to be inclusive of all potential members of your treatment team.
These may include Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Dentists, Respiratory Therapists, and Behavioral Health Therapist. Although the majority of these positions are self-explanatory we would like to define how we specifically utilize Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. PAs practice medicine on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers. They practice and prescribe medication in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the majority of the U.S. territories and the uniformed services. Specifically, PAs can take your medical history, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, develop treatment plans, counsel on preventive care, assist in surgery, write prescriptions, and make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes.
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) also is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. All NPs must complete at least a Master’s degree, and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse preparation. Nurse practitioners work autonomously and in collaboration with health care professionals to provide a full range of services including ordering and performing diagnostic tests, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications, managing patients’ overall care, counseling, and education patients on disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices.
All providers are important members of our health care team!
