Applying Metrics to Outpatient Oncology Advanced Practice Providers

Advanced practice providers (APPs) are assuming an increasing role in collaborative practice teams within oncology. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that they develop systems of measuring their contribution to the clinical practice and participation in patient care. Even though institutions and practices are using outcomes as benchmarks, many acknowledge they have not measured the impact of APP interventions. The demonstration of impact falls to the oncology APP by developing tools, guidelines, or methods to collect reliable metrics specific to their collaborative role in oncology. Metrics will not only promote performance evaluation, improvement, and professional growth, but measuring productivity and quality will promote the value of APPs in the oncology setting, further highlight their value in the collaborative practice, and enhance their influence in quality care.