The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Volume 6, Issue 2 , Pages 109-114, February 2010

Concierge Medicine: The Perfect Storm?

Implications for Nurse Practitioners

  • Jackie H. Jones

      Affiliations

    • Jackie H. Jones, EdD, RN, is an assistant professor in the WellStar School of Nursing at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA.
    • ,
  • Linda Treiber

      Affiliations

    • Linda Treiber, PhD, is an assistant professor in the department of sociology and criminal justice at Kennesaw State University.

Abstract 

This article addresses a recent change in the health care delivery system: the concierge medical practice, where doctors provide an array of special services by limiting practice to a small number of patients willing to pay a membership fee. The purpose of this article is to document this trend and to situate it within the health care system. Although beneficial for patients who can afford it, concierge medicine leads to increasing health care inequalities and disparities in the United States. The implications for nurse practitioners include caring for a larger and sicker population of underserved patients.

Keywords:  concierge medicine , health care delivery system , luxury medicine , retainer medicine

 

 In compliance with national ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.

PII: S1555-4155(09)00661-8

doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2009.11.002

The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Volume 6, Issue 2 , Pages 109-114, February 2010

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