November 20, 2024- Sentara Health is doubling the number of advanced practice providers in its primary care facilities, anticipating a 70% increase in care capacity for each APP added to physician-led teams, according to Becker’s. Sentara is transitioning to a team-based care model in primary care. The team-based approach will allow care teams to manage lower-complexity needs and provide bridging care for new patients awaiting their first primary care provider appointment. The model enables both physicians and APPs to practice at the top of their license in both primary and specialty care.
Currently, Sentara has 132 APPs working in family medicine and internal medicine practices. The new initiative aims to double that number to 264, Steven Pearman, MD, vice president of Sentara Medical Group, told Becker’s. APPs in primary care will manage about 1,100 patients annually, compared to 1,500 patients for physicians.