Provider-type and Heart Failure Hospitalizations

This grant proposal seeks funding for the collection of data that may provide a groundwork of information as to differences in outpatient care of heart failure patient by the physician vs. nurse practitioner. Results of previous research in primary care settings have shown that as compared to physicians, nurse practitioners have provided the same quality care, if not better, to patients and have effectively prevented unnecessary hospitalizations. Physicians and nurse practitioners come from differing educational backgrounds, with the first going through four years of medical school and another four years of residency and potentially a fellowship, with the latter obtaining experience as a registered nurse and a bachelor’s degree prior to completing two to three years of graduate school. With the need for nurse practitioners steadily increasing as the baby boomer population ages, there is a need for research in the work and care given by nurse practitioners, with comparisons to the traditional providers—physicians. The study will look to see if a model nationwide healthcare organization that places physicians and NPs on an almost equal playing field in outpatient care will show if NPs provide the same if not better, outpatient heart failure management.