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I found the opinion piece in the Rogue Valley Times entitled “Family doctor shortage has changed the health care system” distressing for its misinformation, and its disrespectful and maligning view of nurse practitioners (NPs). 

I was taken aback by the inaccurate portrayal of NPs in this article as less than trustworthy and requiring the supervision of a physician. “We will have to trust — hope? — that these practitioners are in communication with supervising physicians who can check their work and their diagnoses.”  

The Oregon State Board of Nursing site states that NPs are licensed independent practitioners, and that supervised practice with a physician is not needed to “check their work and diagnoses.” (oregon.gov/osbn/Documents/FAQ_APRN.pdf). 

Nurse practitioners are particularly well-educated and well-prepared for primary care.  As a registered nurse (now retired), I know that nurses, and certainly NPs in primary care, are educated to focus on the whole person, health maintenance and illness prevention — a perfect approach for primary care. 

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As a Registered Nurse (now retired), I know that nurses, and certainly NPs in primary care, are educated to focus on the whole person, health maintenance, and illness prevention — a perfect approach for primary care.

Since moving to Talent in 2002, my family and I have received excellent primary health care from the NPs at Talent Clinic.  I have found these NPs to be current in their information, skillful in diagnosing and treating illness, sensitive to our individual needs, and committed to creating a long-term relationship with our family (children, adults, seniors). 

We have been consistently impressed with their quality of care, excellent communication, and detailed follow-up. Without hesitation, I have recommended NPs to my friends and acquaintances. Everyone I have encouraged to see a NP has been pleased with the care they receive. 

Readers of the RV-Times should be disappointed that the Editorial Board chose to create suspicion and mistrust of NPs. Instead of wasting your journalistic effort on an inaccurate article that belittles the skillful work of NPs, perhaps you could employ the same effort to educate yourselves and the Rogue Valley community about the roles they (and physician assistants) play in health care. 

In addition, it would be an effective use of journalistic effort and a community service to work with local health care organizations to learn and communicate what each of them is doing to address the shortage of primary care providers in our region. 

I look forward to a more educated approach to topics in the future.