Central Peninsula | Fall 2021

All of us need a primary care provider. They’re the provider you see first for most medical problems. They can also help you manage chronic health condi- tions, like high blood pressure or diabetes; make sure you’re up-to-date on screening tests; and refer you to a specialist when necessary. But this may surprise you: Your primary care provider doesn’t have to be a doctor. Two other types of highly educated and well-trained providers can also help you stay healthy, either a physician assistant (PA) or a nurse practitioner (NP). Both provide many of the same services doctors do. For example, they often can: ● Perform physical exams. ● Take and record medical histories. ● Prescribe medicine. ● Perform and order diagnostic tests. ● Diagnose and treat an illness or injury. ● Educate patients about any health problems they face or are at risk for developing. ● Provide preventive care. PULSE is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of Central Peninsula Hospital, 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, AK 99669, phone 907-714-4404 , website cpgh.org . CEO: Rick Davis Marketing Manager: Camille Sorensen Information in PULSE comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please call 907-714-4600 or email marketing@cpgh.org . 2021 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Central Peninsula Hospital and its clinics (collectively “CPH”) comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Translation and other services are available to you, free of charge, by calling this number: 907-714-4404 . PA vs. NP: Is there a difference? Both a PA and an NP have at least a master’s degree, and many earn more advanced degrees. But an NP is trained in the advanced practice of nursing, while a PA’s training is modeled on the medical school curriculum. NPs are trained in specific areas of primary care—family medicine, adult and geriatric medicine, women’s health, or pediatrics. PAs are trained as medical generalists. Sources: American Academy of Physician Assistants; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; U.S. Department of Labor L E A RN A BOU T PHY S I C I AN A S S I S TAN T S AND NUR S E P R AC T I T I ON E R S Options for primary care PULSE Fall 2021 7