Collaborating with a physician is an integral part of a nurse practitioner’s practice, and an excellent collaborating doctor can help nurse practitioners provide high-quality patient care. When looking for a collaborating physician, there are several attributes to consider. Here are some of the key qualities of an excellent collaborating doctor for a nurse practitioner:
Open communication
A good collaborating physician should communicate openly and clearly with the nurse practitioner. They should be available to answer questions and provide guidance. They should be willing to work collaboratively with the nurse practitioner to ensure that their patients receive the best possible care.
Willingness to teach
A good collaborating physician should be willing to teach the nurse practitioner about their specialty and provide ongoing education and training. This can help the nurse practitioner stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field and provide the best care to their patients.
Respect for the nurse practitioner’s expertise
A good collaborating physician should respect the nurse practitioner’s expertise and experience. They should be willing to listen to the nurse practitioner’s input and ideas and should value their contributions to patient care.
Availability
We cannot underestimate the importance of finding a collaborating doctor who is available whenever a nurse practitioner needs them. They should be accessible by phone or email and be willing to meet with the nurse practitioner in person as required. This can help ensure that the nurse practitioner has the support to provide high-quality patient care.
Trust
A good collaborating physician should trust the nurse practitioner’s judgment and decision-making abilities. They should be willing to give the nurse practitioner autonomy to make clinical decisions within their scope of practice while providing guidance and oversight as needed.
Compatible Personality
A good collaborating physician should have a personality that is compatible with the nurse practitioner’s. They should be able to work together in a collaborative and supportive manner and should have good communication skills and a positive attitude.
Willingness to learn from the nurse practitioner
A good collaborating physician should be willing to learn from the nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner may have experience or knowledge in a specific area that the collaborating physician may not have, and they can benefit from the nurse practitioner’s input and feedback.
Willingness to advocate for the nurse practitioner
A good collaborating physician should be willing to advocate for the nurse practitioner and support their role within the healthcare team. This can help the nurse practitioner feel valued and respected and can help ensure that they can provide the best possible care to their patients.
Conclusion
Collaborating with a physician is an essential part of a nurse practitioner’s practice. When looking for a collaborating physician, it is important to consider their communication style, willingness to teach, respect for the nurse practitioner’s expertise, availability, trust, compatible personality, desire to learn from the nurse practitioner, and willingness to advocate for the nurse practitioner. By finding a collaborating physician with these attributes, the nurse practitioner can provide high-quality patient care and work collaboratively with a physician who supports their role within the healthcare team.