As gastroenterology practices increasingly rely on advanced practice providers (APPs) to meet rising patient demand, leaders are recognizing that retention depends heavily on structured onboarding and long-term support. Experts speaking at DDW 2026 noted that nearly 30% of APPs leave within their first three years, often due to burnout, unclear expectations, and insufficient mentorship.
The discussion emphasized that successful onboarding in GI requires more than basic orientation. Practices are adopting staged training models that gradually transition APPs from shadowing to supervised care and eventually independent patient management. Mentorship, regular feedback, protected teaching time, and exposure to manageable clinical complexity were highlighted as critical to building confidence and reducing early-career overload.