population, a physician shortage and the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 there has been a shift toward more independence in practice for professionals such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and dental therapists. Concerns about terminology In recent years some organizations and specialties have proposed the discontinuance of the term mid-level in reference to professional practitioners who are not physicians. Each organization prefers to use their specific title, and physicians' organizations are concerned about title inflation. *preferred even over physician assistant, which was what the acronym historically stood for Drug Enforcement Administration The term mid-level practitioner as found in the DEA classification in Section 1300.01(b28), Title 21, of the Code of Federal Regulations is used as a means of organizing drug diversion activities. The term mid-level practitioner as defined by the DEA Office of Diversion Control, "...means an individual practitioner, other than a physician, dentist, veterinarian, or podiatrist, who is licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted by the United States or the jurisdiction in which he/she practices, to dispense a controlled substance in the course of professional practice." Some health professionals considered mid-level practitioners by the United States DEA include: Physician assistants Nurse practitioners Midwives Nurse anesthetists Pharmacists Anesthesiologist assistants Chiropractors Optometrists Social workers Psychologists See also Advanced practice nurse Allied health professions Anesthesiologist Assistant Certified Nurse‐Midwife Health human resources Nurse anesthetist Nurse practitioner Pathologists' assistant Physician assistant References External links Global Health Workforce Alliance: mid-level health workers Health care occupations