Onboarding Tool Improves Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology APP Integration and Reduces Stress
A structured onboarding tool significantly improved the integration of advanced practice providers (APPs) in gastrointestinal (GI) surgical oncology, according to a recent quality improvement project published in JADPRO. The study, conducted by researchers at Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, highlights the importance of standardized onboarding to improve knowledge, confidence, and reduce perceived stress among new APPs.
The project involved the creation and implementation of the Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology APP Onboarding Tool, a comprehensive resource outlining clinical pathways, orientation schedules, disease-specific content, and procedural references. Four APPs onboarded with the tool were surveyed over 4 months, with outcomes compared to a historical group of 4 APPs who did not have access to the resource.
The results demonstrated notable improvements in several key domains. APPs onboarded with the tool reported increased knowledge of clinical workflows, higher confidence in daily tasks, and improved ability to perform independently. Notably, perceived stress scores decreased with tool use.
“Our onboarding tool is a valuable resource designed to provide structured guidance and foster the development of clinical knowledge in a systematic manner,” the authors wrote. “It includes clinical pathways, disease-specific content, and a comprehensive orientation schedule designed to meet the unique demands of the GI surgical oncology service.”
APPs in the intervention group reported faster progression toward independence and a better understanding of complex disease processes and perioperative management. The study also identified that the standardized approach addressed common challenges associated with onboarding in high-acuity surgical oncology settings, such as inconsistent training experiences and knowledge gaps.
The authors noted, “Overall, the participants felt the onboarding tool provided structure, consistency, and served as a reference guide to aid in clinical decision-making and promote the development of confidence and autonomy.”
This project underscores the value of structured onboarding in improving APP preparedness in specialized oncology services. For practicing clinicians and APP leaders, the findings suggest that implementing similar tools may reduce onboarding time, enhance APP retention, and improve patient care consistency in complex surgical oncology environments.
The authors recommend further expansion of the tool across other surgical oncology teams and ongoing evaluation of its impact on clinical outcomes and APP satisfaction.
Source:
Provenzano A, Peltier T, Wenholz C, Leighl R. GISOAPP: Optimizing Onboarding for GI Surgical Oncology APPs. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2024;15(2):167-172.
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