Advanced providers in pediatric surgery: Evaluation of role and perceived impact

The shortage of medical doctors in certain geographies and certain disciplines, resident work hour limitations and the demonstrated positive impact of advanced providers (nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clinical nurse specialists) on the quality and efficiency of care in numerous specialties have led to broader integration of advanced providers in healthcare organizations. With regard to pediatric surgery, some tertiary centers have successfully implemented 24/7 nurse practitioner coverage for their inpatient services. However, pediatric surgery practices vary throughout North America and the broader presence and function of advanced providers among all practice types and settings has not been characterized previously. The purpose of this survey is to conduct a descriptive evaluation of current pediatric surgical practices in North America with regard to advanced provider coverage and their perceived impact on care delivery and patient satisfaction.

A 14-item online survey, approved by the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee, was distributed to all full APSA members (N = 1189, opening rate of 56%), representing the vast majority of pediatric surgeons in North America. The survey investigated the practice characteristics of the responding surgeon, the presence and role of advanced providers in their practice and their perceived impact on patient care. Descriptive statistics were performed to characterize the function of advanced providers in pediatric surgery practices. Further analysis was performed to assess for geographic differences in staffing practices using United States Census Divisions.

A total of 266 pediatric surgeons completed the survey (response rate 22% and 40% considering "email send out" and "email opening" rates respectively), with 47.6% employed at free standing children's hospitals and 41.1% employed at a children's hospital within an adult hospital. Nearly all respondents (N = 244, 91.7%) reported the presence of advanced providers in their practice with nurse practitioners (N = 216) and physician assistants (N = 101) most commonly represented. The majority of advanced providers (N = 189, 77.8%) covered both general surgery and trauma patients. Advanced providers worked nearly equally in the outpatient (N = 219, 89.8%) and inpatient setting (N = 232, 95.1%), though less often in the neonatal (N = 131) or pediatric (N = 126) intensive care unit. Fifteen percent of surgeons (N = 40) reported that advanced providers provided 24/7 coverage within their surgical practice. Surgeons reported that advanced providers had a very positive (75%) or positive (21%) impact on their clinical practice, with none reporting a negative impact. Surgeons also reported that advanced providers had a very positive (74%) or positive (21%) impact on perceived patient satisfaction. The main area in which surgeons reported the most significant impact of associate providers was continuity of care (N = 77), efficiency of service (N = 66) and education of parents and patients (N = 53).

Pediatric surgical practices of all types are broadly utilizing advanced providers. Surgeons report that the integration of advanced providers across inpatient and outpatient settings has positively impacted care, advancing both continuity of care and efficiency of service. Advanced providers likely represent part of the solution to delivering quality care in current delivery systems.

Prospective Study/ Survey LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.