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Use of NPs/PAs in the Oncology Setting ARM Workforce Interest Group. Clese Erikson Senior Research Associate June 2, 2007. Oncology Workforce Study. Funded by the American Society of Clinical Oncology Authors: Clese Erikson, M.P.Aff Edward Salsberg, MPA Gaetano Forte
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Use of NPs/PAs in the Oncology SettingARM Workforce Interest Group Clese Erikson Senior Research Associate June 2, 2007
Oncology Workforce Study • Funded by the American Society of Clinical Oncology • Authors: Clese Erikson, M.P.Aff • Edward Salsberg, MPA • Gaetano Forte • Suanna Bruinooge • Michael Goldstein, MD
Survey Methodology • Survey sent to a random sample of 4,000 oncologists identified from the AMA Masterfile as having a primary or secondary specialty of: • Medical oncology • Hematology/oncology • Pediatric hematology/oncology • Gynecologic oncology • Initial mailing, thank you post-card, follow-up mailing to non-respondents • 92-items, 19 related to use of NPs/PAs • Results weighted using standard procedures
Specialty Total Active Clinical Oncologists = 1,344
TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES Provide patient education and counseling Manage patients during treatment visits Provide pain and symptom management Address emergent care Provide follow-up care for patients in remission Provide non-cancer related primary care for patients in active treatment Provide end of life/hospice care Perform research related activities Take night or weekend call Conduct hospital rounds ADVANCED ACTIVITIES Assist with new patient consults Order routine chemotherapy Perform invasive procedures (eg, bone marrow, spinal tap) NPs/PAs likely to provide any of the following services to your patients?
Percent of Oncologists whose NPs/PAs ‘usually’ or ‘always’ • Provide patient ed/counseling 61% • Provide pain and symptom mgmt 46% • Manage patients during visits 43% • F/U care for pts in remission 43% • Address emergent care 30% • Order routine chemotherapy 25% • Assist w/ new pt consults 23% • Provide end of life/hospice care 22% • Conduct hospital rounds 22% • Primary care for pts in active treatment 20% • Perform invasive procedures 19% • Perform research activities 13% • Take night or weekend call 7%
72% of academics work with NPs/PAscompared to 46% of private practice oncologists
Variation in productivity by reported level of NP/PA activity Academic Setting Variation not statistically significant
Relationship breaks down when you look by gender and setting
Options for Addressing Shortages (2006 Practitioner Survey)% Sig Potential
Those who currently use NPs/PAs more likely to see increased use as a solution to oncologist shortages
Supply Scenarios– Increased usage of NPs/PAs • BASELINE - 56% currently use NPs/PAs but only 26% at advanced capacity • MIN – 85% use NPs/PAs minimally (4% increase in visits per week for private practice; no increase academic) • MAX– 85% use NPs/PAs for advanced activities (10% increase for both settings)
NP scenarios show potential to increase visit capacity by .4 million to 3.2 million visits
Percent work with NP/PA varies by specialty category Primary Care – FP, GP, IM, and Peds Medical, Surgical, and Facility Based – Physician Characteristics and Distribution Categories
Clear differences of opinion regarding benefits of using NPs/PAs among those who work with them and those who don’t
Conclusions • Oncologists that work with NPs/PAs consistently agree that this improves efficiency and quality without increasing their workload • Inconclusive that use of NPs/PAs actually improves visit capacity • Increased use of NPs/PAs could have potential to help address shortages but other solutions will be needed • Those who do not work with NPs/PAs are less inclined to see the value of their contribution