Believe it or not, in most states, nurse practitioners (NPs) should partner with a reliable collaborating doctor or physician. Even when your state doesn’t need nurse practitioners to practice with a collaborating doctor, the nature of most health systems and medical practices have NPs reporting to their MDs.
This professional relationship may make or break the experience of NPs. So if you are a nurse practitioner looking for a collaborating physician, the following are tips to help you:
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Speak to Friends and Family
Once you determine your needs, choose a collaborating physician capable of meeting them. Usually, the people close to you, including neighbors, friends, and family members, can be the best sources of information on getting your ideal collaborating doctor. They can tell you about a physician they work with and why they prefer working with them.
Consider asking questions about their office’s cleanliness. You should find out about the doctor’s demeanor and the attentiveness of their staff in the office. But know that everyone’s experience is not the same. One individual’s experience might not be similar to that of another person. You can also ask for referrals from other kinds of medical experts. These may include the following:
- Physical therapists
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
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Ask a Physician Colleague or Friend
This is one of the easiest and cheapest options for you. Even when you don’t have any close relationship with a physician you worked with before, that is still a connection.
Basically, you need to use that connection to your advantage. Most physicians are familiar with how you work and may trust you, provided you’ve shown them safe clinical practice and value.
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Know the Qualities of a Good Collaborating Doctor
Start by considering what type of working relationship to expect from a collaborating doctor. Will you require the help of a collaborating doctor every day? Or is there a specific specialty or expertise you want?
According to the Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guides, finding a collaborating doctor who is reliable and has the same philosophy of medical care is priceless.
In most cases, you will be limited in who you may work with as a collaborator. The restrictions can come from several societal factors, like the shortage of physicians.
But it is best to plan your working relationship. This will enable you to understand your needs better. Plus, the relationship will enable you to communicate your needs well to a potential collaborating doctor, eliminating unreasonable misunderstandings and expectations.
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Know More about Your Options
Prepare a list of every doctor you want to work with. Ensure you think of how difficult or easy it is going to be to travel and have an appointment. Then consider calling the physicians’ office to know more about them. During an appointment, ensure your questions revolve around the following:
- Experience
- Certifications and training
- Availability
The Bottom Line!
Partnering with the best collaborator for the needs of your practice is a vital aspect of growing and becoming a better medical expert. Considering tips like speaking to friends/family and knowing the qualities you want will go a long toward choosing the right collaborating physician.