Patients at Risk – Details, episodes & analysis

Christopher Garofolo, MD, unpacks the many errors shared by a more seasoned NP to a brand new NP seeking advice on a Facebook post.

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/Imposter-Doctors-Patients-at-Risk/dp/1627344438/

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

On the last podcast, I interviewed Dr. Anu Shokla who shared her story of her newborn baby being treated for an emergency rapid response by a nurse practitioner who had just rotated with her on the inpatient adult hematology oncology service.

After hearing that podcast, Dr. Carol Nelson reached out to share a story of the alternate version: her newborn granddaughter was saved because of the outstanding care from well-trained physicians and non-physicians working together in a physician-led care team.

Please enjoy this inspiring and uplifting story of why physician training matters.

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

John Canion is an experienced nurse practitioner working within nursing for years to improve NP education. Frustrated with the lack of positive change from NP leadership, he penned the "2023 Report on Nurse Practitioner Education and the Need for Change," which outlines the current state of NP education and proposes solutions that harken back to the original days of NP training.

Canion suggests:
- At least 2 years of RN experience before starting NP school
- Increased standards for entry, including minimum GPA requirements 
- Standardized, rigorous education and program-vetted preceptorship
- An increase to 2,000 hours of base NP training and an additional 4,000 hours of training within a specialty (Family, Psych, ER, etc).

He writes, "We need a pause on independent practice or 'full practice authority' for NPs until our education has been fully reviewed."

Read the entire report here:
https://jcthenp.substack.com/p/2023-report-on-np-education-and-the

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Psychiatrist Torie Shatzmiller Sepah MD discusses her experiences as a chief psychiatrist at the California Department of Corrections, and her role in the "Golding Report," a whistleblower report by Michael Golding MD that alleges improper psychiatric care of inmates. Complete report here:  https://www.scribd.com/document/392536943/Dr-Michael-Golding-California-prison-report-on-mental-healthcare

This episode contains brief graphic descriptions of inmate harm as well as physician suicide. If you are having any thoughts of self-harm, please call your physician or the suicide prevention lifeline immediately. 

Physicians, medical students, and resident/ fellow physicians may also obtain free and confidential help through the Physician Support Line, a service offered by volunteer psychiatrists 7 days per week.  Call: 1 (888) 409-0141 or physiciansupportline.com to learn more.

Get the Patients at Risk book!  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M9YJQR3/
Learn more about Physicians for Patient Protection: PhysiciansforPatientProtection.org

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Dr. Torie Shatzmiller Sepah, a practicing psychiatrist, discusses the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists, and the increasing trend of allowing psychologists to prescribe medications.

Get the book Patients at Risk: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M9YJQR3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

To learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy, Dr. Sepah recommends the book "Thoughts and Feelings" - https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Feelings-Taking-Control-Moods/dp/1684035481/

Physicians: Join Physicians for Patient Protection - physiciansforpatientprotection.org

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Corinthia Davidson-French shares the story of her son's missed diagnosis of aplastic anemia after multiple visits to an FNP at the local clinic. We also discuss racial disparities in the healthcare system, and what patients can do to advocate for their own medical care.

Learn more about becoming a bone marrow donor at: BeTheMatch.org.

Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/

Citations:
Goldberg GA, Jolly DM, Hosek S, Chu DS. Physician's extenders' performance in Air Force clinics. Med Care. 1981;19(9):951‐965. doi:10.1097/00005650-198109000-00007

Morrison F, Shubina M, Goldberg SI, Turchin A. Performance of primary care physicians and other providers on key process measures in the treatment of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2013;36(5):1147‐1152. doi:10.2337/dc12-1382 

Kurtzman ET, Barnow BS. A Comparison of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Primary Care Physicians' Patterns of Practice and Quality of Care in Health Centers. Med Care. 2017;55(6):615‐622. doi:10.1097/MLR.0000000000000689 

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Gerald "Jay" Baltz, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who is being investigated by the California Board of Nursing for an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient who later took her own life, received his training at an online program that required a minimum of 500 clinical hours of experience for graduation.  Baltz continues to provide psychiatry care to patients in California and Washington state, and since receiving a doctorate degree in nursing, he now advertises as "Doctor" Jay Baltz, DNP. 

We are joined by psychiatrist Dr. Natasha Cervantes to discuss the differences in training between psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners, and why the difference in care can be a matter of life or death.

If you are someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm, help is available. Contact your physician immediately, or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help at 800-273-8255.

Learn more about this issue - get the book Patients at Risk, available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Gerald "Jay" Baltz, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, was investigated by the California Board of Nursing after allegations that he had entered into a sexual relationship with a patient who subsequently took her own life.  The Board received this information in April of 2018, began its investigation, and filed a claim against Baltz on June 15, 2020. Today, six months later, Baltz continues to practice psychiatry as a nurse practitioner in California and in Washington state, where he has autonomous practice and does not require physician supervision.  We are joined by psychiatrist Dr. Natasha Cervantes to discuss details of this tragic case.

If you are someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm, help is available. Contact your physician immediately, or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help at 800-273-8255.

Learn more about this issue - get the book Patients at Risk, available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Dr. Robin Rose, a family physician who trained as a nurse and then nurse practitioner discusses the differences in education and training between the medical disciplines. Dr. Rose, who lives on an isolated island in Hawaii, describes challenges in obtaining physician-led care, especially for vulnerable populations living in medically underserved areas.

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Physicians who speak out in support of physician-led care face repercussions. Steven Maron, MD, a pediatrician with 31 years of experience, was fired from United Community Health Center in southern Arizona after writing a newspaper article explaining the difference in training between a physician and a nurse practitioner. As Maron pointed out in his op-ed, while there are excellent and experienced nurse practitioners and physician assistants, their education and training are not the same as that of a physician. He suggested that to make an informed decision about medical care, the public should know who is treating them and the critical differences in the training of clinicians. Although Maron had worked for the community health center serving socioeconomically depressed children for 10 years without any disciplinary actions, he was terminated just days after the op-ed appeared in the Green Valley News. “I was told that my article stood in opposition to the principles of the organization, specifically the principle of mutual respect."

Get the book! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/patients-at-risk-niran-al-agba/1137936919?ean=9781627343169

PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org