Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
Author Spotlight: Evaluating Clinicians' Adoption of Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Cannulation Through Simulation Training
Published on: August 9, 2024
Advanced practice providers in the infectious disease workforce: A nationwide utilization survey
Alison M Beieler1, Leah H Yoke2,3, Catherine Liu2,3
1Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
Background:
Shortages of infectious disease (ID) physicians is an identified workforce problem. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this care gap, leaving many communities without access to an ID physician. More advanced practice providers (APPs), specifically nurse practitioners and physician assistants, work as healthcare extenders, yet are not well described in ID.
Purpose:
Evaluate collaboration between ID physicians and APPs, and potential barriers to utilization of APPs.
Methods:
Anonymous and voluntary surveys; one for physicians, another for APPs. We collected experience, practice setting, familiarity regarding APPs in ID, use of APPs, and perceived barriers/concerns for utilization of APPs.
Discussion:
Nationwide, 218 ID physicians and 93 APPs in ID responded. 71% (155) of ID physicians use APPs. Of APPs, 53% (49) had > 5 years ID experience. Responses highlighted opportunities for dedicated ID education, collaboration, and clarification of practice scope.
Conclusion:
APPs are an experienced group who provide ID care, working alongside physicians to meet ID workforce needs.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...