ASGE Annual GI Advanced Practice Provider Course (Virtual) - Onboarding (Day One)

Pdf Summary

The document discusses the future role of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in gastroenterology (GI), emphasizing their increasing necessity due to a shortage of gastroenterologists and rising patient demand. The U.S. population is growing and aging, which is contributing to higher rates of chronic diseases and requiring more GI care than the current physician workforce can supply.<br /><br />To address this, APPs are seen as indispensable for maintaining the quality and timeliness of care. However, their integration has historically been unstructured, lacking standardized education, onboarding, and mentorship. Therefore, the document suggests adopting formalized processes for onboarding and education, ensuring APPs receive proper training and have defined roles within GI practices.<br /><br />The future of APPs in GI looks promising if steps are taken to optimize their roles. Strategies include collaborative care models with physicians, structured orientation processes, and ongoing education through courses and mentorship. Optimization also demands transparent communication within teams, dedicated leadership from an identified physician champion, and substantial investment in APP career development.<br /><br />Specific models like APP-led clinics, subspecialty clinics, and potential GI fellowships can enhance APP involvement, while AI technologies could support workload management and decision-making in clinical settings. The potential for APPs to participate in endoscopic procedures is explored as a theoretical model to tackle physician shortages and increase patient access.<br /><br />APP leadership roles within clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, and increased involvement in administrative decision-making are encouraged to foster a culture of quality and innovation. Ultimately, the document suggests that strategically developing the capabilities and leadership of APPs will be crucial in managing future challenges in the GI field.

Asset Subtitle

Joseph Vicari, MD, MBA, FASGE

Keywords

Advanced Practice Providers

gastroenterology

physician shortage

patient demand

onboarding

collaborative care

education

mentorship

AI technologies

endoscopic procedures