U.S. consumers still like to see a doctor, but if they have to wait, they are happy to see a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant. Two studies out this week indicate both patients and doctors are "open to a greater role" to primary care professionals who are not medical doctors at a time when physicians are in short supply and doctors will become even more scarce when the Affordable Care Act broadens health care benefits in less than seven months. The law will bring additional coverage for millions of Americans along with an influx of business to doctors that they may not be able to handle.
