The delivery of medical care services in nursing homes is dependent on a workforce that includes physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Each of these professions operates under a unique regulatory framework while adhering to common standards of care. Nursing home provider characteristics and their roles in care delivery can illuminate potential links to clinical outcomes and overall quality of care with important policy and cost implications.

This article provides an overview of what is currently known about medical provider practice in nursing homes and organizational models of practice. Links to quality, both conceptual and established, are presented, as well as policy recommendations.