The definition of trust is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something. We daily make decisions based on it. And at AdventHealth, we seek to build trust with every patient in every interaction.
Building a trusted relationship with a care provider has benefits for your whole health. You’re more likely to seek help for new symptoms, for example, when you trust your provider. That’s why we want to make sure you know about an important member of our care team: the advanced practice provider.
Read on to learn more about advanced practice providers and how they can help you live whole in body, mind and spirit.
Who Are Advanced Practice Providers?
Advanced practice providers, or APPs, are typically nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Though they aren’t doctors, they are licensed to provide nearly all the same preventive and acute care services a doctor does. Many patients find it easier to access an APP than a doctor, especially on short notice. Some practices use APPs to help support virtual visits, new patient appointments and other needs to ensure everyone who seeks care gets seen quickly.
What Can Advanced Practice Providers Do?
It may surprise you to learn that APPs can do most things a doctor can do. The care they provide includes:
- Assisting in procedures
- Conducting exams
- Diagnosing patients
- Developing and implementing treatment plans for acute and chronic conditions
- Functioning as primary care providers
- Prescribing medication under physician supervision
Some common misconceptions about APPs are that they might provide a lower level or quality of care, or that they won’t have relevant experience, but that isn’t the case. While doctors typically have more years of education, research shows that APPs provide exceptional patient care and have provided a 92% patient return visit rate. Many patients see an APP for their primary or specialty care by choice, year after year.
Benefits of Seeing Advanced Practice Providers
According to recent studies, implementing APPs in health care has had a great positive impact. APPs have improved:
- Accessibility of health care
- Continuity of care
- Cost-effectiveness
- Quality of care
- Specialized care
- Team-based approach to care
In the midst of life’s busyness, our APPs are there to provide whole-person care when you need it. They are a vital part of our care team.
Here for Your Whole-Health Needs
When your health care needs arise, you can rest assured that our advanced practice providers are here with expert whole-person care every time. To find a provider near you, visit us here.
