Our study is limited by the use of cross-sectional self-reported data
that reflect the views of our sample at a particular point in time.
Although these data were collected in 2003, many of the healthcare
delivery issues and fiscal constraints remain the same. Indeed,
practitioners continue to struggle with advocating for insurance
coverage for patients who are uninsured and underinsured; and NPs
in particular, continue to work within varied state-restricted
guidelines that limit their practice autonomy. However, these data
will be useful in developing the most appropriate educational and
practice models as more NPs and PAs become primary care providers
in various settings. Although we recognize that the educational and
practice guidelines for NPs and PAs differ, we were not able to make
comparisons between the groups based on federal requirements at
the time of the study.