In one small New Jersey town, Irene Cavall is the lone primary care provider overseeing 4,000 residents. Cavall is a licensed nurse practitioner; the county's one physician moved away 2 ½ years ago. Cavall sees about 40 patients a day, for ailments ranging from a common cold to diabetes management.

Cavall's case is an example of how nurse practitioners are filling the gaps in primary care coverage caused by a shortage of physicians. By 2025, the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates there will be a shortage of 46,000 primary care physicians.

Source: Kaiser Health News