Prescribing by Physician Associates and Nurse Practitioners in Older Adults Is Outpacing Traditional Prescribers: Implications for Practice in American Medicine

Abstract

Prescribing is a significant activity undertaken by physicians, physician associates/assistants (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs). We analyzed prescribing data to understand better the growing presence of PAs and NPs in older adults. A trend in frequently prescribed medications was compared with other physicians. All prescriptions in Medicare Part D were grouped into broad categories of drugs and linked to each type of provider. The analysis spanned 9 years (2013–2021). The results revealed that all five providers similarly prescribed the top three main drug classes (antacids, antihypertensives, and statins). In addition, there was a decline in the number of unique prescribers and prescriptions for all three types of physicians (family medicine, internal medicine, and general practice physicians). Concurrently, the number and share of prescriptions for NPs and PAs increased yearly. The findings are consistent with data that PAs and NPs are backfilling physician shortages in treating older adults.

Keywords

prescribers Medicare primary care scope of practice workforce

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