The Practice of Nursing in Pediatric Offices — Challenge and Opportunity

Manpower Utilization and Task Delegation:

“…Other studies have also found pediatricians, obstetricians-gynecologists, and psychiatrists to be more &dquo;liberal&dquo; than other physicians (Colombotos et al, 1975;Goldman, 1974) and more willing to delegate tasks (Reed and Roghmann, 1971;Yankauer et al, 1970). In the case of pediatrics, the publication of favorable research results concerning successful task delegation may also have had some impact (Yankauer et al, 1970). The emphasis on counseling in psychiatry may have caused psychiatrists to perceive task delegation as more compatible with existing role relationships than in the case of other specialties.…”

“…Previous studies show wide variation depending upon the particular physician sample and tasks studied (Borland et al, 1972;Reddick, et al, 1971;Yankauer et al, 1970). There is a widespread belief that physicians prefer minimally trained nurse assistants who are willing to work under authoritarian physician leadership rather than physician extenders who are capable of independent judgments (Bergman et al, 1966).…”