OTO: Advanced Practice Providers Utilization Trends in Otolaryngology From 2012 to 2017 in the Medicare Population

This podcast highlights original research published in the July 2021 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Foundation. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants form a growing advanced practice provider (APP) group. We aim to analyze the trends and types of services provided by APPs in otolaryngology. In conclusion, due to increasing numbers, APPs are accounting for more patient visits and procedures over time. The physician workforce and the numbers of procedures performed per physician have remained relatively stable from 2012 to 2017. Increasing complexity of patients seen and a broader range of procedures offered by work-experienced or postgraduate-trained APPs may further improve access to health care in the face of possible physician shortages.   Click here to read the full article.