Table 2 Description of included studies
Study | Study objective | Location | Region | Setting | Sitesa) | Design (data collection) | Task or outcome | Risk of biasb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Blaes et al., 2019 [17] | Determine primary care providers’ screening practices for women at high risk of breast cancer, & examine differences in practices and knowledge of recommendations across providers | USA | Minnesota | Primary care | n/a | Cross-sectional (survey) | Screening | High |
2. Boone et al., 2016 [18] | Understand what may limit adherence to new screening policies | USA | California | Primary care | n/a | Cross-sectional (survey) | Screening | Medium |
3. Brock et al., 2017 [19] | Compare rates of malpractice reports and adverse actions for physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) | USA | National | Secondary & primary care | n/a | Longitudinal (claims) | Diagnosis (delay or failure to diagnose) | Medium |
4. Burrows et al., 2020 [20] | Explore PA role integration in the Ontario healthcare system through an in-depth analysis of setting and role descriptions, described outcomes, and healthcare provider perceptions | Canada | Ontario | Secondary & primary care | 19 | Case study (interviews, documentary analysis) | Referrals to other physicians | Low |
5. Drennan et al. 2015 [21] | Compare outcomes and costs of same-day requested consultations by PAs with those of GPs | England | South, East, & South West | Primary care | 12 | Longitudinal (medical records) | Diagnostic tests Referrals to other physicians | Low |
6. Feeley et al., 2009 [22] | Explore how colorectal cancer screening is approached in primary care | USA | New York | Primary care | n/a | Qualitative (focus groups) | Screening | High |
7. Hughes et al., 2015 [23] | Compare use of diagnostic tests by NPs and PAs and PCPs | USA | National | Primary care | Not stated | Longitudinal (medical records) | Diagnostic tests | Medium |
8. Johnson et al., 2019 [24] | Determine whether Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) provided the same quality care as physicians in a variety of settings | USA | National | Secondary & primary care | 4 | Quasi-experimental (online vignettes) | History taking, physical examination, diagnostic tests ordered, making a diagnosis | High |
9. Kepka D et al. 2014 [25] | Evaluate the relationship between type of medical provider seen in the past 12 months and receipt of cancer screening | USA | National | Secondary & primary care | n/a | Cross-sectional (survey) | Screening | Medium /low |
10. Kurtzman et al., 2017 [26] | Compare the quality of care and practice patterns of NPs, PAs, and primary care physicians in health centres | USA | National | Primary care | 104 | Longitudinal (repeated cross- sectional surveys) | Referrals to other physicians Physical examination Reconsultation | Low |
11. Laird et al., 2020 [27] | 1) describe and compare Texas NP & PA knowledge and use of screening guidelines for colorectal cancer 2)Â compare recommendations for referral for genetic counselling for colorectal or endometrial cancer | USA | Texas | Primary care | n/a | Cross-sectional (survey) | Screening | High |
12. Liu et al. 2017 [28] | What impact NPs and PAs have on utilization in a setting where physician-supervised NPs and PAs provide face-to-face primary care | USA | Georgia | Primary care | 10 | Quasi-experimental (medical records) | Diagnostic tests ordered Referrals to other physicians ED visits | Medium |
13. Mafi et al., 2016 [29] | Compare APCs and physicians in providing inefficient or low-value care [radiography (for URIs and back pain), computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (for headache and back pain), and referrals to other physicians] | USA | National | Primary care | n/a | Longitudinal (repeated cross- sectional surveys) | Diagnostic tests ordered Referrals to other physicians | Low |
14. Martin et al. 2020 [30] | Compare health care providers’ breast cancer screening practices for average-risk women at the ages of 40–44 and 45–49 years | USA | Minnesota | Primary care | n/a | Cross-sectional (survey) | Screening | High |
15. Tang et al. 2016 [31] | Clinician factors are associated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in older veterans with limited life expectancy | USA | National | Secondary & primary care | Â | Cross-sectional (medical records) | Screening | Low/medium |