The NP And PA Will See You Now (Forbes)

In his insightful article, Spencer Dorn, MD, explores how nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs) are reshaping American healthcare amid a persistent physician shortage. While training differences remain stark, research shows that NPs and PAs often provide comparable care in structured clinical scenarios. Dorn argues it’s time to move beyond the “who’s better” debate and focus instead on how to best deploy all clinicians to meet rising care demands. With AI on the horizon and a sicker, aging population, the future of medicine will require teamwork, adaptability, and a rethinking of roles across the board.