Physician Extenders and the Cost of Medical Care, January 1979
1 Division of Health Services Research and Development, American Academy of Pediatrics 1801 Hinman Avenue Evanston, IL 60204
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.




