Physician Extenders and the Cost of Medical Care, January 1979

Abstract

The existing evidence does not support increasing the number of physician extenders as a reliable cost-containing measure. More research is needed on the conditions under which they can limit costs and those under which they may increase costs. There may be other reasons for use of physician extenders, however, such as to maintain existing levels of productivity and allow the physician to work shorter and better scheduled hours; to replace foreign medical graduates as hospital staff; and to increase comprehensiveness of cane and maintain continuity.