Types of health care providers

Definition

This article describes health care providers involved in primary care, nursing care, and specialty care.

Alternative Names

Physicians; Nurses; Health care providers; Doctors; Pharmacists

Information

PRIMARY CARE

A primary care provider (PCP) is a person you may consult or see first for checkups and health problems. PCPs can help manage your overall health. If you have a health care plan, find out what type of practitioner can serve as your PCP.

NURSING CARE

Advanced practice nurses include nurse practitioners (NPs) and the following:

DRUG THERAPY

Licensed pharmacists have graduate training from a college of pharmacy.

Your pharmacist prepares and processes drug prescriptions that were written by your primary or specialty care provider. Pharmacists provide information to people about medicines. They also consult with providers about dosages, interactions, and side effects of medicines.

Your pharmacist may also follow your progress to check that you are using your medicine safely and effectively.

Pharmacists also can evaluate your health and prescribe medicines.

SPECIALTY CARE

Your primary care provider may refer you to professionals in various specialties when necessary, such as:

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants may also provide care in association with most types of specialists.

References

Association of American Medical Colleges website. Careers in medicine. www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/. Accessed July 18, 2022.

American Academy of PAs website. What is a PA? www.aapa.org/what-is-a-pa/. July 18, 2022.

American Association of Nurse Practitioners website. What's a nurse practitioner (NP)? www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/whats-a-nurse-practitioner. Accessed July 18, 2022.

American Pharmacists Association website. About APhA. www.pharmacist.com/Practice/Patient-Care-Services. Accessed July 18, 2022.



Review Date: 7/25/2022
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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