Advanced practice provider integration into the pediatric hospital medicine workforce

As Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) programs confront increasing clinical demands, workforce shortages, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education changes affecting resident coverage, and concerns about physician burnout, there is growing demand to incorporate advanced practice providers (APPs) into staffing models. Despite growing utilization, physicians lack a universal understanding of APP education, training, and scope of practice. No widely adopted frameworks exist for hiring, integrating, and sustaining APPs on PHM teams. Here, we outline a practical framework for PHM leaders seeking to incorporate APPs into inpatient staffing models while maintaining high-quality, sustainable pediatric care.