Page 9 - APP Collaboration - Assessing the Risk (Part One)

SVMIC Advanced Practice Provider Collaboration: Assessing the Risk

PART ONE

Introduction

The COVID-19 crisis suddenly required a shift in patient access
from in-person to remote patient care, along with a surge

in the need for more healthcare providers. Nationally and
at the state and local levels, authorities pivoted to allow for

expanded services and suspended licensure and telehealth
restrictions to accommodate these needs. To many, advanced

practice providers (APPs) are the answer to a growing concern
about patient access to care and a widespread primary care

physician shortage. The Association of American Medical
Colleges (AAMC) projects a deficit of 91,000 physicians by

2025, including a deficit of 31,000 primary care physicians.
1
Additionally, changes in the healthcare landscape, including the

continued geographic maldistribution of providers, increasing
demand for specialized medical services, and value-based

outcomes driven by reimbursement are driving this need.

Not to mention, patients are demanding improved access
to care, and our healthcare system is responding through

increased utilization of APPs, rapid technological advances
including telemedicine, real-time diagnostics, and collaboration

with other community services.

By leveraging the growing workforce afforded by APPs, the

goals of improved efficiency and clinical outcomes, along
with greater patient satisfaction and the ability to reach

the medically underserved, will be more attainable. There
are many opportunities for physicians and APPs working

together as part of the care team to provide optimal care. With

1 https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/report/physician-workforce-projections

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