JU open plus
Surgical Team Composition and Outcomes After Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer
By Montgomery J, Sun A, Shay A and 5 others.
Abstract
Introduction
Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly integrated into surgical teams. Although their training varies, existing literature often considers PAs and NPs interchangeable when assessing their impact. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of PA vs NP team composition on surgical outcomes in men with prostate cancer.
Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study using a 20% national sample of traditional Medicare beneficiaries undergoing radical prostatectomy between January 2010 and December 2020. The cohort included patients treated by independent urology groups with at least 1 PA or NP. Groups were stratified into 3 mutually exclusive categories: PA only, NP only, and both PA and NP. Generalized estimating equations measured the association between provider composition and surgical outcomes (ie, postoperative complications, prolonged length of hospitalization, and readmission within 90 days), adjusting for patient-level and group-level variables.