FAQ

General Questions

What is the purpose of the Duke Advanced Practice Provider Leadership Institute (APPLI)?

The purpose of Duke APPLI is to develop a pipeline of health equity leaders who (1) thrive in APP-led interprofessional teams and (2) advance transformational projects to improve the health of patients, resiliency of providers, efficacy of healthcare systems, and strength of communities. APPs prepared to lead clinical, education and/or advocacy initiatives, in collaboration with their interprofessional health care team members, can contribute significantly to improving health care and wellbeing for their patients, providers, learners, organization and community, particularly focused on addressing health disparities of vulnerable populations.

Who are the intended participants in this program?

Duke APPLI is offered to individual APPs and APP-led teams. The program is designed to support APPs and any team members who plan to collaborate on a health improvement project that aims to, ultimately, provide more effective continuity of care services for vulnerable populations facing health disparities. Ideal candidates for this program are those aiming to develop and implement a health improvement initiative and acquiring or improving individual and team-based leadership and management skills and knowledge required to be successful change agents in health care and community well-being.

The project team lead must be an APP. Who is considered an APP?

For the purposes of this program, advanced practice provider (APP) is a general title used to describe non-physician providers who have completed advanced education and training that qualifies them to (1) manage medical problems and (2) prescribe and manage treatments within the scope of their training. By conventional standards, Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants tend to be the most recognized type of APPs by many health care organizations in the United States; For this unique leadership training program, other types of APPs (e.g., LCSW, MFT, OT, PharmD, PT) also may be considered for the role of team project lead if their role and contribution to the project aligns with the responsibilities of the team lead.

Who is eligible to serve as a team partner to collaborate with the APP team lead on a project of common interest?

Team partners can be from diverse health care and other community health disciplines and professions, including health education, medicine, nursing, social work, pharmacy, radiography, administration and more. A team partner can also be an APP, in addition to the project team lead.  Professionals who work in diverse community sectors that impact social drivers of health (e.g., education, housing, transportation, food services, communication/media, law enforcement), are also welcomed to participate.   The composition of the team should be driven by the needs of the proposed health improvement project and partners who can help make the project vision become a reality.

What are the roles of team members?

Project team leads are APPs who are responsible for participating in required program activities and spearheading the development and execution of the team’s proposed health improvement project. One to two other team partners participate in specific program activities and support the team lead in designing and executing the health improvement project process, for which all members have a strong vested interest and invaluable role in the success of the project.

Can team members change during the program year?

Changes in team members will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We realize that unexpected team transitions may take place during the program year (e.g., illness, job change, moving out of the area).  Thus, we strongly recommend that each team member consider, during the application process, an alternate colleague who might be a good candidate to step in into the role, if needed, of a departing team member for the transformational project and to participate in the remaining

Do team members need to be employed by the same organization?

Team members should be able to work on a health improvement project together, but they do not necessarily need to be employed by the same employer.

What is meant by “integrated/comprehensive care”?

“Integrated/comprehensive care” is the concept of bringing together the organization, delivery and management of services related to diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation and health promotion in a way that provides continuity for and partnership with patients, families and communities.

What is meant by “vulnerable populations”?

Vulnerable populations, with respect to health, are groups and communities that often have been historically excluded and subjected to systems and processes that have put them at a disadvantage for optimal health and well-being. The barriers experienced by these individuals can be related to race, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, gender, or sexual orientation, as well as factors such as occupation, income, health insurance coverage, absence of a usual source of care as well as limitations due to illness or disability. Their health and healthcare issues may also intersect with social factors, such as education, occupation, geography, housing, and poverty.

How many program participants will be accepted into the program?

Up to 60 participants for the program year.

What will participants learn in this program that will help them in a clinical role or administrative role?

The Duke APPLI content is designed specifically for individuals AND teams, led by APPs who wish to create transformational change within their organizations and communities. The program seeks to enhance the skill level of APPs and their team members who wish to learn more about the management and operational aspects of leading clinical, education or advocacy interventions, services or practices to improve health care performance and outcomes and achieve health equity. They will also enhance their understanding and skill set in collaborating with diverse healthcare and other community sector stakeholders, integral to the success of quality and population health improvement initiatives to achieve healthcare equity.

What does seeking “institutional/organizational approval” for my project mean?

Your partnering organization must approve your team’s proposed transformational health improvement project before you start implementing planned activities. Your team should present your project proposal to seek approval from your local Institutional Review Board, Quality Improvement committee, or other appropriate organizational leadership entity which has oversight of such initiatives. Please share with the program office written confirmation of your project approval once you have received it.

What will participants attain upon completion of the program?

Upon program completion, we expect that participants will report improved leadership and management skills, a higher functioning team, an expanded professional network, ability to develop, implement and evaluate a quality or population health improvement, and efficient and effective practices within their organization or target partner site that yield meaningful return on investment measures for patients, systems and communities. These changes are fostered by our innovative learning experience, mentorship from exemplary healthcare leaders and national experts, personalized leadership coaching, hands-on fellowship project, and national network of program partners.

Participants who successfully complete the program will be acknowledged as Duke APPLI Alumni and also awarded a plaque to honor this accomplishment. In addition, if applicable for one’s profession, CE or CME contact hours can be earned for a portion of the seminars, workshops and other training activities provided in the program.

Will program participants receive a transcript upon completion of the program?

This program, though affiliated with Duke University, does not formally enroll participants with the University Registrar. For that reason, university transcripts are not generated for activities completed during the program.

If I have other questions about the program, whom should I contact?

You may contact Adriana Green, Training Coordinator, by email at Adriana.Green@duke.edu

Admissions and Deadlines

When are applications due, and when will I be notified whether or not my team is accepted?

Applications are due Friday, March 31, 2023, and your team will be notified no later than Friday, April 14, 2023 whether or not it has been selected for program participation. Please note that applications will be reviewed, and acceptance decisions may be made on a rolling basis.  Thus, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.  In addition, there is an early bird bonus for early submission. If you submit your team application early by MARCH 15, 2023, and it is accepted, each team member will receive $175 off the enrollment fee.

When are the informational webinars about the program?

Information webinars will be hosted on December 8, 2022 at 12 noon ET and January 18, 2023 at 3pm ET. Registration is required.

Who is eligible to apply for Team Lead?

  • One who can participate in all required program activities (confirm availability of dates listed below under Program Details section of FAQ) and complete four quarterly progress reports
  • One who is non-physician APP who has completed graduate education and training that qualifies them to (1) manage medical problems and (2) prescribe and manage treatments within their scope of training.
  • One who has experience providing integrated/comprehensive care for vulnerable populations
  • One who is currently employed in the United States
    • One who has two or more years of experience supporting, developing, or managing an APP-managed practice, service or unit (including current practice setting) OR is in a position to advance into this role in the near future.

Who is eligible to apply for Team Partner?

  • One who is able to participate in required program activities (confirm availability of dates listed below under Program Details section of FAQ)
  • One who is able to collaborate with team lead and provide a key role on a health improvement project during program tenure
  • One who has minimum associate’s degree or equivalent training/experience
  • One who is currently employed in the United States
  • One who has one or more years of experience in a clinical, administrative or other service providing role

I want to apply for the program, but I don’t have a team partner. Can I still apply?

Yes. You can apply for the program as an individual. Teams are eligible to apply but are not required.

What is the application process?

After verifying their eligibility, interested individuals and teams should complete and submit the program’s online application via the link located in the Cost and Admission tab on the program’s website during the program application period. Completed applications received by the deadline will be reviewed and phone interviews conducted with applicants eligible to continue the process.

What should I do if I have trouble with the online application?

If you have difficulty accessing the application, please contact: APPLI@duke.edu

Upon accepting an invitation to join Duke APPLI, why is a Letter of Commitment requested from me?

Program participants are asked to submit the to indicate understanding of agreement with program requirements related to participation including attendance and project deliverables and, to indicate their intentions to fully comply with the requirements outlined in the Letter of Commitment.

What happens if an applicant’s employer does not submit an Employer Letter of Commitment on an applicant’s behalf?

The Employer Letter of Commitment is a required part of the application package. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The employer LOC should be submitted as soon as possible because your team’s application will not be reviewed until we receive it. The LOC document should include signatures from the employer/supervisor of every single team member. If the completed Employer LOC is not included with the online application, the application cannot be considered for admission. While applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, all applicants are notified of their acceptance status on the same date.

Why does the program request an Employer Letter of Commitment as part of the application?

Optimum experiences and learning from the program can only be achieved with a certain level of commitment and support from the team members’ employers/supervisors. Employers/supervisors are asked to commit to:

  • ensuring that work accommodations are made so that participants can engage in all required program sessions – both onsite and distance
  • supporting and/or collaborating with the team, as appropriate, to define and implement the transformational health project
  • providing feedback to the program that includes commenting on the overall program, the transformational project and the team’s growth as a result of this learning

Program Details

How long is the program?

Duke APPLI is a twelve-month program that begins May 31, 2023 and concludes May 19, 2024.

What are the key dates and locations for the 2023-24 program year events?

Applicants will be notified of program acceptance no later than March 1, 2023, and all activities will be hosted virtually on the Zoom video conference platform.

Synchronous distance-based activities:

  • Evening of May 31, 2023 with a two-hour program launch and orientation event
  • Leadership web-conference 1: June 10-11, 2023
  • Project Consultative Panels: October 28-29, November 4-5, 2023 (Note: Participants will be required to present during one 3-hour session on one of the dates above. They are also required to attend one session of a project outside of their circle.)
  • Leadership web-conference 2: Jan 20-21, 2024
  • Leadership web-conference 3: May 18-19, 2024 

 Before applying, individuals interested in the program should make sure that their schedule allows for them to fully participate on these dates.

Is live/synchronous participation required for the distance-based core leadership weekend web-conferences? May participants join by telephone or review the recorded sessions at a later date?

Live, synchronous participation via webcam is required to ensure full participation in these interactive sessions.

Is live/synchronous participation required for the project consultative panels? May program participants join by telephone or review the recorded sessions at a later date?

Each participant must join live via webcam for ONE of the consultative panels, which is expected to be 3 hours in length. All participants should reserve the consultative panel dates on their calendars now and release unneeded time once their presentation time slot has been assigned to them.

To participate fully, what is the time commitment required for work outside the distance-based core leadership web-conferences?

Participants should expect to spend an average of 12 to 20 hours per month on distance-based learning and project activities using some or all of the following modalities: video-streamed lectures, video clips, audio components, guided readings, discussion boards, interactive web-activities, threaded discussions, on-line modules and conference calls.

What types of projects are acceptable to fulfill the program requirements?

A wide variety of quality or population health improvement projects can meet program requirements. In addition to long-standing matters that participants wish to improve, in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we also welcome project proposals that focus on response efforts for organizations, patients and communities. The appropriateness of project proposals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the program office will work with participants to ensure that any project undertaken fulfills program criteria. Examples of those criteria include:

  • Projects must be undertaken with a partnering organization/agency and involve some element of collaboration and accountability.
  • Projects should be developed, implemented and evaluated with appropriate stakeholder engagement and through a lens of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) promotion.
  • Projects may be already in progress, or may be a new piece of a larger, ongoing initiative, provided that the project is still early enough in implementation or dissemination for the team to employ and strengthen leadership and management skills gained during the year.
  • Projects should be designed to have measurable outcomes that are detailed in a well-developed and appropriate evaluation plan, which includes both process and outcomes measures and articulation of short, mid and long-term measurable goals. Program sessions will be held to assist participants with developing appropriate evaluation plans.

Refer to Team Project tab for more details.

Who are the program instructors?

The program’s faculty/facilitators are interdisciplinary experts from Duke University and other local and national institutions and organizations in the fields of health care, business, entrepreneurship, education, policy and advocacy. Duke APPLI collaborators bring a first-hand understanding of strategies and solutions to issues within the evolving and challenging healthcare environment.

Will participants be required to participate in classes and be graded on work in the program?

Although no grades will be issued, participants are expected to participate fully in program activities. This rigorous and engaging program employs a number of pedagogical methods, including independent learning activities, group work, and seminars. There will be opportunities for discussion, idea networking, distance-based learning interaction, and suggested learning activities. Specifically, participation in distance-based core leadership web-conferences, as well as the development and implementation of a team’s transformational health project are a part of the requirements for successful program completion.

Are there any technology requirements for participation in the program?

In order to participate fully in this program, participants are required to have:

  • computer storage space available to install and run a current internet browser and required software (e.g., Zoom, Web-Ex)
  • a computer headphone with a mutable microphone broadband connection to the Internet (DSL, cable or satellite) a webcam, compatible with the Personal Computer/Mac
  • a personal computer or Mac whose operating system is Windows 7 or MacOS or newer, with a 5 GHz processor and 2 GB memory, and up-to-date web browsers.

Financial Information

What is the enrollment cost?

Each year, the enrollment fee is determined and may differ annually. The amount depends on contributions received from donor organizations in that specific year, aiding in covering certain program expenses. When applications are being accepted for a new cohort, the enrollment fee will be listed.

The program will be conducted virtually so there will be no travel expenses to incur. To participate virtually, the program’s technology requirements include access to high-speed internet connectivity for distance-based sessions and a computer with speaker/microphone and built-in camera or webcam. All other expenses, such as required training materials or subscriptions, executive coaching fees, training fees and CE/CME fees will be covered by the program.

For more information, please contact our office at APPLI@duke.edu.

Are there scholarships available?

A generous contribution from the Duke Health Chancellor’s Office is supporting a portion of the program’s operational costs for all participants this year. To view our current scholarship opportunities, visit here: Duke APPLi Scholarships

Most of our applicants have received some financial support from their employers and/or professional associations. We encourage you to reach out to these entities to see what support is available. Many employers find value in the leadership program and have expressed that the development of participants as leaders and their projects positively impact and benefit their organizations in a multitude of ways. View here for employer benefits and testimonials: Duke APPLi Benefits & Outcomes.

If offered an invitation to join the program, how do selected participants accept the offer?

After invitations to join the program are sent to successful applicants, applicants planning to enroll should indicate their intent in writing via email within 5 days to the program and pay enrollment costs within 14 days of the date of the program’s invitation letter. If a message of intent has not been received before the five-day period expires, the applicant’s reserved space will be released.