PAs and NPs represent a growing proportion of clinicians, but not malpractice cases.
The makeup of the workforce that provides health care services in the United States has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. PAs and NPs now deliver 25% of U.S. health care. Moving forward, we can expect that even more patient encounters will involve an advance practice provider.
To help those in leadership roles to make evidence-based decisions, this year’s annual benchmarking report provides credible information about the physical and fiscal impact the expansion of PA and NP numbers and scope has had on patient safety and MPL exposure, and what the future looks like in terms of liability risk associated with PAs and NPs.
Health care is safest, and MPL risk is lowest, when everyone caring for the patient understands and respects their colleagues and supports their development and growth. Sowing doubt or pointing fingers—whether based on perception or speculation—does not help patients or providers get better. Building on strengths and learning from mistakes, together, enhances everyone’s health care experience. We hope that the information in this Report is useful in support of optimized care. For more, download the full report, A Sea Change in U.S. Care Delivery: An Analysis of Advanced Practice Provider and Physician Malpractice Risk.
