Advanced Practice Providers for Delivering Radiology Services - A Legal Analysis

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), including Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Radiology Assistants, have become increasingly incorporated into the U.S. healthcare system, providing a range of services. While initially meant to work under or in collaboration with physicians, to provide some modicum of health care to underserved patients in the setting of a national physician shortage, APPs have sought and received increased autonomy in a number of jurisdictions. This article reviews how courts have addressed a variety of issues related to APPs, including scope of practice, the standard of care, vicarious liability issues and issues relating to transparency, and how APPs may impact radiology.