Which professionals can nurse practitioners have collaborative agreements with, aside from physicians?

Nurse practitioners (NPs) can have collaborative agreements with various healthcare professionals to enhance patient care, and it is essential to understand the roles and scopes of different practitioners within the health system. Collaborating with dentists and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) is particularly relevant since these professionals often engage in patient care that complements the services provided by NPs.

Dentists are integral to oral health care, managing conditions that may impact the patient's overall health. An NP and a dentist can work together to ensure comprehensive care, especially in areas where oral health significantly affects systemic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

DOs, like MDs, are fully licensed physicians with a focus on holistic patient care, which aligns well with the NP's emphasis on comprehensive, patient-centered approaches. The collaboration can enhance treatment plans that address both physical and mental health aspects, thereby improving health outcomes.

While chiropractors and masseurs, pharmacists and physical therapists, or social workers and dieticians play valuable roles within the healthcare system, their collaboration with NPs is typically governed by different regulations and scopes of practice compared to physicians and dentists. Therefore, the most appropriate pairing in this context is with dentists and DOs, as they share a professional framework that supports effective collaborative agreements