Opposing the Use of the Term "Provider"

Originally approved October 2023

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes that, to ensure transparency and clarity for patients and families, health care professionals in the health care setting should be identified based on their specific health care professional training, specific skill sets, and abilities. ACEP strongly supports health care professionals being identified as physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants respectively, and strongly opposes the use of the generic term “provider” or any other non-specific terminology.

In addition to physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, the emergency department care team is composed of many other clinical and non-clinical staff. ACEP recommends the use of the terminology “health care staff” or “health care workers” when referring to the entire team.