Assessment of Patient Knowledge of the Role of Advanced Practice Providers in Transplantation Surgical Care: A Single-Center Prospective Study

Background: Advanced practice providers (APPs) are integral to the contemporary transplant surgeon–APP practice model. Patient understanding of APPs’ role is vital for optimal patient care and experience. Data on patient knowledge of APPs’ roles remain scarce. We sought to assess patient awareness of APPs in their transplantation surgical team. Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 100 consecutive transplant candidates and recipients ≥18 years, hospitalized in the transplant surgeon–APP Transplantation Intensive Care Unit (primary service) from September 16, 2019 through June 10, 2021. All patients received a 5-question survey (Table 1). Group 1 (first 50 patients) did not receive any printed introductory materials (Figs 1 and 2) before completing the questionnaire, whereas group 2 (last 50 patients) completed the survey after receiving the materials. Results: Although > 90% of patients were knowledgeable about physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs), the term “advanced practice providers” was unfamiliar to patients in both groups (Table 1). The level of patient recognition and comfort with APPs in the transplant surgeon–APP care team were comparable for both groups. Conclusions: Our study showed that transplant candidates and recipients were knowledgeable and highly comfortable that PAs and NPs are members of their transplantation surgical team. However, the term advanced practice providers was unfamiliar to the patients. Our study suggested that patient education on provider terms used in current health care delivery is essential and may enhance the patient experience.