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Elvidge N, Hobbs M, Fox A, Currie J, Williams S, Theobald K, Rolfe M, Marshall C, Phillips JL. Practice pathways, education, and regulation influencing nurse practitioners' decision to provide primary care: a rapid scoping review. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:182. [PMID: 38783189 PMCID: PMC11112961 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02350-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Initially established to improve access to healthcare, particularly for primary care, the full potential of the nurse practitioner role is yet to be realised in most countries. Despite this, most countries are working to meet an ageing population's increasing healthcare needs and reduce healthcare costs and access disparities. Achieving these outcomes requires reform at multiple levels, including nurse practitioner practice pathways, education and regulation, and identifying the barriers and facilitators to optimising their primary care role. METHODS A rapid scoping review of nurse practitioner practice pathways, education and regulation inclusive of: (1) a systematic search of Medline and CINAHL for peer-reviewed English language articles, including opinion pieces published between January 2015 and February 2022; and (2) a web-based search of nurse practitioner program entry requirements of International Nurse Regulator Collaborative country members with a protected nurse practitioner title and prescribing rights, plus the Netherlands. The individually summarised search data was integrated and synthesised using Popay's narrative approach. RESULTS Emerging evidence from the included nurse practitioner courses (n = 86) and articles (n = 79) suggests nurse practitioners working in primary care provide safe, effective care and improve healthcare efficiencies. However, different regulatory and educational models are required if the primary care nurse practitioner is to meet growing demand. CONCLUSIONS International variations in entry criteria, curriculum, and regulation shape the global profile of the nurse practitioner primary care workforce and their practice setting. For countries to grow their primary care nurse practitioner workforce to meet unmet needs, different entry requirements, program content and accredited post-registration transitional programs must be urgently considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah Elvidge
- Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Megan Hobbs
- Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Amanda Fox
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Metro North Health, Redcliffe Hospital, Redcliffe, Australia
| | - Jane Currie
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Suzanne Williams
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karen Theobald
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Melanie Rolfe
- Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Claire Marshall
- Improving Palliative Care Through Clinical Trials (ImPaCCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jane L Phillips
- Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
- Improving Palliative Care Through Clinical Trials (ImPaCCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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Tate K, Penconek T, Booth A, Harvey G, Flynn R, Lalleman P, Wolbers I, Hoben M, Estabrooks CA, Cummings GG. Contextually appropriate nurse staffing models: a realist review protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082883. [PMID: 38719308 PMCID: PMC11086385 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Decisions about nurse staffing models are a concern for health systems globally due to workforce retention and well-being challenges. Nurse staffing models range from all Registered Nurse workforce to a mix of differentially educated nurses and aides (regulated and unregulated), such as Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurses and Health Care Aides. Systematic reviews have examined relationships between specific nurse staffing models and client, staff and health system outcomes (eg, mortality, adverse events, retention, healthcare costs), with inconclusive or contradictory results. No evidence has been synthesised and consolidated on how, why and under what contexts certain staffing models produce different outcomes. We aim to describe how we will (1) conduct a realist review to determine how nurse staffing models produce different client, staff and health system outcomes, in which contexts and through what mechanisms and (2) coproduce recommendations with decision-makers to guide future research and implementation of nurse staffing models. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Using an integrated knowledge translation approach with researchers and decision-makers as partners, we are conducting a three-phase realist review. In this protocol, we report on the final two phases of this realist review. We will use Citation tracking, tracing Lead authors, identifying Unpublished materials, Google Scholar searching, Theory tracking, ancestry searching for Early examples, and follow-up of Related projects (CLUSTER) searching, specifically designed for realist searches as the review progresses. We will search empirical evidence to test identified programme theories and engage stakeholders to contextualise findings, finalise programme theories document our search processes as per established realist review methods. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval for this study was provided by the Health Research Ethics Board of the University of Alberta (Study ID Pro00100425). We will disseminate the findings through peer-reviewed publications, national and international conference presentations, regional briefing sessions, webinars and lay summary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Tate
- College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tatiana Penconek
- College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrew Booth
- School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
| | - Gillian Harvey
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rachel Flynn
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Inge Wolbers
- University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Matthias Hoben
- School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carole A Estabrooks
- College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Greta G Cummings
- College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Officer TN, Cumming J, McBride-Henry K. 'She taught me': factors consumers find important in nurse practitioner and pharmacist prescriber services. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2021; 19:41. [PMID: 33771187 PMCID: PMC8004467 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-021-00587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced practitioner services, such as those nurse practitioners and pharmacist prescribers provide, are an opportunity to improve health care delivery. In New Zealand, these practitioners remain underutilised, despite research suggesting they offer safe and effective care, and considerable international literature recording patient satisfaction with these roles. This study aimed to explore factors underlying consumer satisfaction with primary health care nurse practitioner and pharmacist prescriber services. METHODS As part of a larger realist evaluation, 21 individuals receiving advanced practitioner services participated in semi-structured interviews. These interviews were transcribed and coded against context-mechanism-outcome configurations tested and refined throughout the research. RESULTS Study findings emphasise the importance of consumer confidence in the provider as a mechanism for establishing advanced practitioner roles. Underlying this confidence is a recognition that these practitioners work in a more accessible manner, engage at the individual's 'level', and operate with passion. CONCLUSIONS This research offers learnings to re-engineer service delivery within primary health care to make best use of the entire health care team by including consumers in the design and introduction of new roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara N Officer
- Health Services Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington, Pipitea Campus, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Jackie Cumming
- Health Services Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington, Pipitea Campus, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Karen McBride-Henry
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, Victoria University of Wellington, Newtown Campus, PO Box 7625, Wellington, New Zealand
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The legitimacy of the nurse practitioner as a non-medical surgical assistant: Historical evidence from Australia. Collegian 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colegn.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Palm R, Hochmuth A. What works, for whom and under what circumstances? Using realist methodology to evaluate complex interventions in nursing: A scoping review. Int J Nurs Stud 2020; 109:103601. [PMID: 32590248 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Medical Research Council's (MRC) framework recommends basing every evaluation of a complex intervention on a theory that explains WHY an intervention works instead of focusing exclusively on the identification IF an intervention works. Theory-based evaluation approaches such as realist evaluations are promising in this respect. The aim of this scoping review is to examine current scientific literature with regard to the use of realist methodology in studies that evaluate complex nursing interventions. We also seek to answer the question whether realist evaluation studies of complex nursing interventions are embedded in the Medical Research Council's framework. METHODS A systematic database search in MEDLINE and CINAHL supplemented with snowballing techniques and a hand search in relevant nursing journals were performed between January and February 2018 and updated in July 2019. Both authors independently screened the title / abstract of studies that were initially identified and appraised the full texts if inclusion criteria were fulfilled. Inclusion criteria were the explicit use of realist methodology and a focus on the development or evaluation of complex nursing interventions. Results were summarized narratively. RESULTS A total of 28 articles from 22 studies, published between 2010 and 2019, were included. The majority of the studies included originate in the UK. Realist methodology was used by a variety of nursing disciplines, including midwifery, community / public health, critical care, palliative care, gerontological nursing, psychiatric nursing / mental health, and infection control. Study designs included case studies and realist reviews; two studies were conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial. All studies included used more than one method to develop their results; the majority of methods were qualitative by nature. Thirteen of the studies included aimed to develop a theory about what works, for whom and under what circumstances regarding the investigated complex nursing intervention. One study was clearly embedded in the Medical Research Council's framework. CONCLUSION Realist evaluation broadens the methodologies that have traditionally been used in nursing. Conceptual clarity on its principal tenets is still needed, as well as the methods used to assess them. Nursing scientists should be more critical when using novel methodology and contribute to academic debates about limitations. Embedding realist evaluations into the Medical Research Council's framework is in its infancy in nursing and needs more contributions in order to develop a common academic position within the profession. Tweetable abstract Realist methodology in nursing - review of the use, methods, limitations and embedding into the Medical Research Council's framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Palm
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing Science, Stockumer Str. 12, 58453 Witten, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Site Witten, Stockumer Str. 12, 58453 Witten, Germany.
| | - Alexander Hochmuth
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing Science, Stockumer Str. 12, 58453 Witten, Germany
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Chiarella M, Currie J, Wand T. Liability and collaborative arrangements for nurse practitioner practice in Australia. AUST HEALTH REV 2019; 44:172-177. [PMID: 31801649 DOI: 10.1071/ah19072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between medical practitioners (MPs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) in general, and privately practising NPs (PPNPs) in particular, in relation to collaboration, control and supervision in Australia, as well as to explore the difficulties reported by PPNPs in establishing mandated collaborative arrangements with MPs in Australia. In order for the PPNPs to have access to the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia, they are required, by law, to establish a collaborative arrangement with an MP or an entity that employs MPs. This paper begins by describing the history of and requirements for collaborative arrangements, then outlines the nature of successful collaboration and the reported difficulties. It goes on to address some of the commonly held misconceptions in order to allay medical concerns and enable less restrictive access to the MBS and PBS for PPNPs. This, in turn, would improve patient access to highly specialised and expert PPNP care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Chiarella
- The Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, 88 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. ; and Corresponding author.
| | - Jane Currie
- The Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, 88 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
| | - Tim Wand
- The Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, 88 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. ; and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
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