Family Medicine at Avita
A family medicine provider is trained to care for you and your family by diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses. Family medicine providers provide routine health screenings and counseling on healthy lifestyles changes in order to prevent illness. If patients develop a health condition that requires care from a specialist, your family provider will be there to guide you and to coordinate all aspects of your care. Avita has many family medicine providers available to you and your family. Family medicine providers within Avita are MDs, CNPs, and PA-Cs.
Non-Physician Providers
Non-physician health care professionals, such as Certified Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, provide individuals and families with another healthcare option beyond a licensed physician. CNPs provide a broad range of healthcare services, collaborate closely with physicians and often serve as a patient’s regular health care provider.
Understanding a CNP
A CNP is an advanced practice nurse who has completed graduate-level education (either Master’s or Doctoral degree). All CNPs are registered nurses with additional education/training, licensed through state nursing boards, and hold national certification in an area of specialty, such as family health.
The core philosophy of a CNP is individualized care, making prevention, wellness, and patient education a priority. CNPs treat both physical and mental conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, and ordering tests and therapies for patients within their scope of practice.
Understanding a PA
PAs are trained in intensive programs by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Because of the close working relationship with physicians, PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. PAs are found in all areas of medicine such as family medicine and internal medicine. The “C” after a PA’s title means that the PA met the defined course of study and has undergone testing by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
A CNP’s or PA’s scope of practice
A Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant plays a primary role in the following:
- The diagnosis, treatment, evaluation, and management of both acute and chronic diseases (such as diabetes and high blood pressure)
- Physical examinations
- Diagnostic studies interpretation and ordering (such as EKGs and lab tests)
- Medication prescription (state regulations vary)
- Well-child care
- The education and counseling on patient health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options
- Surgery assistance