How adding nurse practitioners and physician assistants affects surgical care for elderly patients

Effects of integration of advanced practice providers into surgical group practice

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11002657

This study is looking at how having nurse practitioners and physician assistants work alongside surgeons can help older patients get better care and recover more safely after surgery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11002657 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the integration of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) into surgical practices can improve care for elderly patients, who are at high risk for complications after surgery. The study will analyze national Medicare data to assess the impact of this model on patient access to surgical care and overall surgical outcomes. By examining both the benefits and potential drawbacks of this approach, the research aims to provide insights into how to enhance care coordination and efficiency in surgical settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are elderly patients who are scheduled for major surgical procedures and are covered by Medicare.

Not a fit: Patients who are not elderly or those who do not require surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical outcomes and reduced complications for elderly patients undergoing major surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that integrating advanced practice providers can enhance patient care in various medical settings, suggesting potential success for this approach in surgical practices.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.