Our Research Shows
97% of people felt that every patient should have the right to see a physician when they ask for one, instead of a NP or PA. (PPP Public Survey)
96% of people felt that the right to practice medicine should be earned by education, not legislation. (PPP Public Survey)
86% of people felt that all healthcare should be led by physicians in order to protect patient safety. (PPP Public Survey)
70% of people felt that patients were at risk when there is no physician supervision of NPs or PAs. (PPP Public Survey)
51% of people reported that they made an appointment to see a physician but when they arrived it was only an NP or PA that met with them. (PPP Public Survey)
32% of people have been (incorrectly) told by someone that an NP or PA is the same as a physician. (PPP Public Survey)
What Your Donation could Achieve
WE ARE BETTER ADVOCATES FOR PATIENT SAFETY WHEN WE JOIN TOGETHER.
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other non-physician practitioners are increasingly providing care that should only be rendered by a licensed physician. Giant corporate interests are leading this shift away from physician-led care.
Help us protect physician-led care for you and your family, your community, and our country.
Recent News
Defending Physician-Led Care Through Video
Patient safety is a cause we can all support. Our new videos help explain why action is needed now.
A Helpful Infographic: Using AI & Chatbots as a Tool, Not Replacement for Your Physician
The AMA warns that online chatbots must never replace physician oversight. This infographic shows 5 ways to use AI and Chatbots as a tool, not a replacement for your medical needs.
A Victory for Clarity in Physician-Led Anesthesiology Care
Preventing misleading nursing titles protects patient safety by clarifying the advanced qualifications of anesthesiologists.
Patients at Risk: Get the Newest Episodes
Patients at Risk, an audio and video podcast, exposes the political maneuvering and corporate greed that has led to the replacement of physicians by lesser trained practitioners, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
- Debunking Cochrane's 'Nurses Can Replace Hospital Physicians' Study
on July 26, 2026A 2026 Cochrane review claims "little to no difference between nurse‐physician substitution and physician‐led care" in a hospital setting.Phil Shaffer, MD reviews all 82 studies to prove the major fallacy: NO study included in the analysis involved true substitution of nurses for physicians to perform physician-level care.https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013616.pub2/fullPhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
- Shocking urgent care study: 64% wrong diagnosison May 16, 2026
Most urgent cares are staffed by NPs/PAs, often without physician supervision - can you trust them with your life?Dr. John Lafferty shares details from a study showing that of 300 referrals from urgent cares to the ER, 55% were unnecessary and 64% resulted in a 'discordant' (different) diagnosis."Our data found that 55% of patients referred to EDs from UCCs did notrequire ED-specific care or resources and 64% carried a discordant diagnosis between UC and ED diagnosis. We suggest quality remedies, such as educational sessions and engagement with telemedicine sub-specialists as well as a coordinated formalized system for UCC to ED referrals."Poyorena C, Patel S, Keim A, et al. Evaluating urgent care center referrals to the emergency department. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2022;3(6):e12838. Published 2022 Dec 7. doi:10.1002/emp2.12838PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
- NP advocates testify in Florida for unsupervised practice rights in psychiatryon February 17, 2026
When we think of potentially vulnerable patients, it just doesn't get riskier than those with mental health conditions, especially children. Yet, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are seeking the right to care for patients 'across the lifespan'--including those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and addiction--without physician oversight. Listen in on testimony in Florida with commentary on why their argument of promoting 'access' without ensuring patient safety may be dangerous to patients.PhysiciansForPatientProtection.orgPhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
- Debunking Cochrane's "Nurses Can Replace Physicians in Hospitals" Study
on July 26, 2026A 2026 Cochrane review claims "little to no difference between nurse‐physician substitution and physician‐led care" in a hospital setting. Phil Shaffer, MD reviews all 82 studies to prove the major fallacy: NO study included in the analysis involved true substitution of nurses for physicians to perform physician-level care. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013616.pub2/full PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org
- Unsupervised Practice: How NP Lobbyists Convince Legislators
on June 28, 2026Nurse practitioner lobbyist testifies to Florida legislators that psych NPs can manage schizophrenia and bipolar disorder alone, that psychiatrists won't take NP referrals because they fear 'competition', and that NPs are as good as physicians: in fact, they TEACH med students and residents...
- Shocking urgent care study: 64% wrong diagnosis
on May 16, 2026Most urgent cares are staffed by NPs/PAs, often without physician supervision - can you trust them with your life? Dr. John Lafferty shares details from a study showing that of 300 referrals from urgent cares to the ER, 55% were unnecessary and 64% resulted in a 'discordant' (different) diagnosis. "Our data found that 55% of patients referred to EDs from UCCs did not require ED-specific care or resources and 64% carried a discordant diagnosis between UC and ED diagnosis. We suggest quality remedies, such as educational sessions and engagement with telemedicine sub-specialists as well as a coordinated formalized system for UCC to ED referrals." Poyorena C, Patel S, Keim A, et al. Evaluating urgent care center referrals to the emergency department. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2022;3(6):e12838. Published 2022 Dec 7. doi:10.1002/emp2.12838 More on urgent care: https://youtu.be/pNSWr1GSBnU - 7year old dies after pediatric urgent care visit https://youtu.be/auhrY5KNQiQ - patient referred to ER with 'abnormal' EKG that is a normal variant
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Our Supporters Say It Best!
“PPP is important because the public deserves truth and transparency in health care, and because I will be a patient too, one day.”
“Not every person who wears a white coat or calls themselves “doctor” has gone through the same rigorous training, schooling, or exams as a physician. Patients deserve to know the truth and have access to safe medical care.”
“Physicians for Patient Protection is about patients being first. Always.”