Current State of Advanced Practice Providers in Urological Practice

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Healthcare Workforce
• Practice Management

Background:

• Projected physician shortage of 65,000 by 2025 highlights critical need for healthcare professionals.
• Urology faces severe workforce challenges, including a high average urologist age (52.5 years) and low per capita ratio (3.89).
• In 2018, 72.5% of urologists utilized advanced practice providers (APPs), who constituted 41% of full-time equivalent medical staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated consensus statement on the role of APPs in urologic practice.
• To examine APP integration from regulatory and practice management perspectives.
• To offer guidance on inpatient utilization, procedural data, and compensation for APPs.

Main Methods:

• Review and update of the 2015 consensus statement.
• Formation of an ad-hoc group of urological providers by the American Urological Association (AUA) board.
• Analysis of regulatory, practice management, inpatient utilization, procedural data, and compensation aspects of APP integration.

Main Results:

• APPs are increasingly utilized in urology to mitigate workforce shortages.
• The document addresses efficient incorporation of APPs into urologic practices.
• Key areas covered include regulatory considerations, practice management strategies, inpatient use, procedural involvement, and compensation models for APPs.

Conclusions:

• The AUA endorses a physician-led, team-based approach utilizing APPs under supervision.
• APPs significantly contribute to the care of patients with genitourinary diseases.
• Encourages the proper and efficient use of APPs to enhance urologic care delivery.