> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Curphey [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> But hang on. While being a great idea, does it not cost more to train
> emergeny nurses practitioners than employ senior house officers?
>
No, I don't believe it does. However at present there is not enough
evidence available to answer this question. ENPs are deployed,
trained and paid differently in different departments. I expect that
some models of ENP deployment and training are more expensive
than others. However an ENP is not a direct replacements for an
SHO.
Plus, last time I looked it was still cheaper to train a nurse than it
is to train a doctor. It's not solely about employment costs.
For further debate see our recent correspondence in the Lancet
(Cooper and Kinn (2000) Minor Injury care by nurse practitioners or
junior doctors (letter) The Lancet, 355 p229).
Mark
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