CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier - LiveWell

MEET YOUR Advanced prac tice clinicians and physicians can both provide primar y care. Your primar y care provider (PCP) handles all aspec ts of your health care, including: • Acute problems, such as infections • Chronic illness management, including diabetes and mentalˆhealth • Referrals to specialist care ifˆneeded • Identifying risk factors forˆdiseases before theyˆdevelop By using a PCP for most of your health care needs, you can save money by avoiding emergency care. Your relationship with a PCP is also important — someone who knows your personal and family history, values and desires is going to provide high-quality, personalized health care. If you're looking for a PCP, ask family and friends for recommendations. Look for a provider whom you trust. Identify the way you like to communicate with your health care team (whether a soft and friendly approach or something more direct), and choose a PCP who communicates that way. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners play a valuable role in your health care. Meet the advanced practice clinicians (APCs) of CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier and learn how they can help you. WHAT IS AN ADVANCED PRACTICECLINICIAN? "APCs are not physician extenders or helpers," says Angela Miller, FNP-C, family nurse practitioner with CHRISTUS Primary Care – South Bossier. "As an APC, I care for patients under my own license, and I can treat any acute or chronic‚illness." Just like a primary care physician, your APC is a partner in your long- and short-term health. "I see myself as my patients' advocate, providing them the most advanced preventive care and up-to- date treatment options available for the conditions they are facing," says Casey Aaron, PA-C, physician assistant with CHRISTUS Primary Care Associates – Shreveport-Bossier. "I also educate them about their diagnoses and treatment options so they understand their health and are more likely to comply with their treatment plan." To find a primary care provider near you, visit christushealthsb.org. WHY DO WE NEED APCS AS WELL AS PHYSICIANS? Across the United States, there is a shortage of primary care physicians. If there are too few physicians in the community, receiving prompt care may be a cha llenge. "A PCs can bridge the gap for many patients, a llowing them quicker access to hea lth care if physicians' schedules are overloaded," says Ericka Pierre, ACNP-BC with CHRISTUS Physician Group Shreveport. " We can provide hea lth care at reduced costs without compromising safety, eŒciency and qua lity." HOW DO APCS WORK WITH PHYSICIANS? APCs are trained to meet a wide range of health needs, but they receive diŽerent training than physicians — some medical problems need physician input to be treated eŽectively. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants collaborate with physicians when needed. "I work with my supervising physician by sharing information about our patients' health and asking for assistance in situations that are often not 'textbook,'" Miller says. "I‚understand when a patient's needs are outside the scope of my practice, and collaborate with the physician to take good care of the people under our care." ✚ Advanced Practice Clinicians Why Primary Care Matters Fall 2016 | christushealthsb.org YOUR CARE TEAM 3

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