Advanced practice providers (APPs; physician assistants and nurse practitioners) play a vital role in the success of an academic or private gastroenterology practice. Partnership with APPs in the clinical setting can improve inpatient and outpatient workflow and complex chronic care management, optimizing downstream revenue from endoscopy, radiology, and motility studies and enhancing physician productivity in research or academic affairs. In an informal AGA Community survey of physicians throughout the United States, 86% of respondents worked with advanced practice providers, 61% of whom had done so for over 5 years. While APPs may fill diverse roles in gastroenterology practice, there are common principles that may help optimize the physician-APP relationship. We surveyed both APPs and physicians to gain their perspective and present a tool kit to optimize the relationship among APPs and physicians.
The APP perspective
In qualitative interviews with 12 APPs practicing gastroenterology in a variety of specialties in Massachusetts, we aimed to understand 1) what APPs felt they brought to GI practice and 2) how APPs can be best utilized and integrated into GI practice and flow.
All interviewees independently noted that improving patient access to care and providing continuity of care were key benefits they brought to their practice, resulting in the possible downstream prevention of unnecessary emergency room admissions. Additionally, APPs felt that they brought significant value by having the time to listen to patient concerns to allow the team to prioritize care (83%), and provide patient education on their disease or medications (92%).
Though APPs are often utilized based on the individual needs of the practice, physician understanding of the APP skillset (83%) and a clear job description with set expectations up front (75%) were two critical elements of practice integration and job satisfaction on qualitative APP surveys. Additionally, APPs felt that strong mentorship with opportunities for career growth could enhance career satisfaction and improve the overall retention of the APP (100%).
The physician perspective
Informed by themes identified from the qualitative APP survey, we posted an informal, anonymous online survey to physicians on the AGA Community Forum. Nearly all physicians that worked with an APP felt that they were beneficial to their practice. Ninety-seven percent of respondents found that APPs improved patient access to the clinic, while 47% found that APPs decreased phone calls and 43% found that APPs improved administrative burden. Other less commonly cited benefits of APPs included increased practice revenue, improved efficiency of inpatient care, and assistance with procedures.
In building relationships and developing trust with their APPs, respondents valued communication (94%), observed or measured competency through orientation or standardized training (55%), and increased time comanaging patients (48%). However, 52% of respondents were concerned regarding the time required to train an APP to their standards, 45% were concerned regarding knowledge deficits, and 48% were concerned regarding risk of turnover and burnout. Though patient satisfaction was noted as a possible benefit of a physician/APP team approach, physicians also noted a potential concern that it may compromise the existing physician/patient relationship.
Despite concerns regarding training and knowledge deficits, only 29% of respondents had a standard orientation for APPs, 26% had a clearly defined job description, and 32% had formal teaching in their specialty content area.
