by: Mark A. Monaco, DO
I knew from a fairly young age that I wanted to be a doctor, but it wasn’t until I was a college student when one visit to an osteopathic physician was enough to convince me that osteopathic medicine would be my future.
Now, after close to 30 years in practice, I have learned through my hands-on experience that the osteopathic approach can make a critical difference for patients.
Osteopathic physicians are taught to treat the whole patient, not just one symptom. We think holistically and focus on how all the organs and the body’s many systems work together. We get to know our patients’ families and in many instances, provide care for entire families for an entire generation.
This holistic philosophy is the bedrock of osteopathic medicine. This same approach is now needed in Harrisburg, where lawmakers are debating proposals that would dramatically change delivery of care and, ultimately, impact patient safety.
Several bills have been introduced that would significantly expand the scope of practice for physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNP) – without requiring that these professionals receive the same education and training as physicians.
These bills should set off alarm bells for all Pennsylvanians. For starters, there is a significant difference in the level of education and training for physicians and nurses. In addition, these proposals could deepen our state’s opioid crisis. Finally, it is not clear that these bills will lead to better delivery of health care across the state, as proponents contend.