Capitol News

In May, the Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Clinic at the MSU Clinical Center marked its second year of service to Lansing-area residents. The clinic, part of MSU Health Care, provides educational opportunities for students in the Michigan State University College of Nursing, helps shorten patient wait times before seeing a healthcare provider, and sees more than 80 patients each day.

Ann Sheehan is an associate professor and assistant dean for faculty practice at the MSU College of Nursing. She oversees healthcare providers at the Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Clinic and manages partnerships with external organizations. With over 20 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner in various settings, including private practice and public health, Sheehan discusses the value the clinic brings and how nurse practitioners support better and more accessible community healthcare.

"Initially, the clinic shared a facility with the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and MSU College of Human Medicine," Sheehan explained. "We were starting to run out of space, and we wanted to grow the family medicine practice. When space became available, the College of Nursing moved its nurse practitioners into the office on the first floor of the MSU Clinical Center off Service Road."

"The new space helped us provide better care for our community," she continued. "Initially, new patients had to wait an average of 45 days to see a provider, but by adding more nurse practitioners and other nursing professionals, we have lowered that number to nine days — an 80% reduction in wait time."

The clinic offers comprehensive services aimed at addressing multiple patient concerns within its walls. "For example," said Sheehan, "we have a diabetes educator who educates patients about lifestyle changes that can help keep their blood sugar under control." Additionally, psychiatric nurse practitioners address mental health needs while collaborating with primary care nurse practitioners for optimal medication management.

On operational aspects, Sheehan noted that their clinical nurse specialist focuses on project management and quality improvement by implementing evidence-based practices into clinic workflows.

Sheehan emphasized that highly trained providers cater to families' needs across all ages. "Right now," she said, "we see patients for preventive services (physical exams), chronic disease management and acute complaints — basically services across the lifespan."

A primary care nurse practitioner performs many functions similar to those of a primary care physician: physical exams, sick visits, writing prescriptions, ordering lab work and imaging. They review results with patients to create personalized care plans based on patient goals.

Addressing Michigan's projected shortage of 1,000 primary care physicians by 2025 is also crucial. According to Sheehan: "If more providers implemented a clinic like ours...patients could have better access to care." The clinic aims to expand this model into underserved areas or “healthcare deserts” in Lansing.

Looking ahead: "We are expanding our wrap-around services by adding a social worker," stated Sheehan. This addition will help address social determinants affecting health outcomes such as socioeconomic status or racial factors impacting access to healthcare.

"We eventually plan on moving into an even bigger facility," concluded Sheehan. For now though they focus on increasing virtual visits catering better towards patient needs.