Doctors against nurses: war is declared

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Many doctors are opposed to the Rist law which gives more powers to “advanced practice nurses” by allowing them in particular to prescribe.

By Marc Payet

A sign during the demonstration on February 14.
© EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

Published on 02/17/2023 at 3:00 p.m.

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Lhe subject is so sensitive that it has sparked a little squabble between doctors and nurses. Pretexting to improve the supply of care, the Rist law (named following the Renaissance deputy Stéphanie Rist), adopted in the Senate on February 14, seems to fracture the world of white coats. It reinforces the power of “advanced practice nurses” (APNs), encroaching somewhat on the prerogatives of doctors. As for the nurses, we do not accept that their rise to power in the organization of the healthcare system is thwarted by opposition from certain practitioners, who would like to confine them to subordinate tasks. Indeed, the balance of power between “medical” and “paramedical”, historically in favor of the former, is changing.

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