How Advanced Practice Providers Can Change Otolaryngology and Your Practice

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Advanced practice providers (APPs) are playing a rapidly growing role within Otolaryngology, increasing by 51% in number from 2012 to 2017, compared to just a 2.2% growth in otolaryngology physicians over the same time period. APPs can independently provide otolaryngologic services, bill Medicare under their own National Provider Identifier, and NPs can practice with full independence in 22 states and DC. With an aging population and a static national otolaryngology physician workforce, APPs may help fill gaps in patient access to otolaryngology care. However, there are significant challenges and limited data on (1) the utilization of APPs in otolaryngology care and (2) establishing a practice structure to support successful integration and engagement of APPs into team-based models of care. Lessons learned from practice environments incorporating APPs over the last decade offer opportunities to optimize timely, equitable otolaryngology care delivery particularly in the era of telemedicine.

The goal of this interactive panel presentation is to understand the evolving role of APPs in otolaryngology care and strategies for successful integration into practice environments to increase patient access and satisfaction. These expert panelists will describe (1) an overview of national APP vs. physician workforce trends including differences in geography, (2) current challenges in the utilization and optimization of APPs with opportunities for improved data collection, and (3) successful integration of APPs into Otolaryngology practices to increase patient access and satisfaction. The panelists will provide a framework for ongoing policy and individual practice decision-making with the goal of optimizing patient outcomes given limited physician resources.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Understand the national otolaryngology workforce trends, consisting of stable number of physicians and increasing numbers of advanced practice providers to meet increasing patient demand

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Recognize opportunities afforded by integrating APPs into both community and academic practice, with respect to business and practice structure, and improvement of patient satisfaction and access

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Discuss how to address socioeconomic and geographic disparities in patients’ access to specialty care by successful integration of APPs into otolaryngologic community and academic practices

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: This interactive panel will offer diverse speaker perspectives and review the evolving role of APPs within Otolaryngology with a practical focus on successful integration into community and academic practices to increase patient access and improve satisfaction