GI Physician–APP Collaboration In Modern Gastroenterology Practice (Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News)

The United States has been facing a growing physician shortage for many years. Many predict this will be worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The gastroenterologist shortage is expected to exceed 1,600 by 2025.¹ Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs), collectively known as advanced practice providers (APPs), play a vital role in the delivery of team-based care. Although APPs cannot replace physicians, they help increase access to care and can facilitate several nonendoscopic aspects of clinical care in gastroenterology. Optimizing practice models to use APPs effectively will help bridge the gap between healthcare demand and physician shortages.