Nurse practitioner-physician comanagement of primary care patients: The promise of a new delivery care model to improve quality of care

Factors for the integration of prevention in primary care: an overview of reviews

BACKGROUND

The global burden of non-communicable diseases is increasing and the need for prevention is huge. Policies have yet to produce results and prevention indicators remain low. Primary care (PC) represents an opportunity to optimise the practice of prevention, but GPs are coming up against barriers that are holding back their prevention practices.

AIM

To identify the barriers and facilitators for the implementation of routine prevention practices in PC.

DESIGN & SETTING

This study is an international overview of reviews focusing on the integration of prevention in PC settings.

METHOD

The search was conducted in July 2022 using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Included reviews are systematic reviews or scoping reviews adopting a systematic approach.

RESULTS

The 35 reviews included identify multiple barriers and facilitators related to the integration of prevention in PC. These factors are heterogeneous with regard to their source (the patient, the professional, and the health system) and their level of action (individual, organisational, or contextual). The results show the need to organise PC at the professional level (for example, in training), at the local level (for example, the information system), and at the political level (for example, the unclear definition of the role of professionals).

CONCLUSION

The factors influencing the integration of prevention in PC are multiple and act at different levels (individual, organisational, and health-system level). Organisation factors play a major role and seem to be a means of overcoming the difficulties encountered by healthcare professionals in developing preventive practices.

Transformation of primary care settings implementing a co-located team-based care model: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

In Canada, primary care reforms led to the implementation of various team-based care models to improve access and provide more comprehensive care for patients. Despite these advances, ongoing challenges remain. The aim of this scoping review is to explore current understanding of the functioning of these care models as well as the contexts in which they have emerged and their impact on the population, providers and healthcare costs.

METHODS

The Medline and CINAHL databases were consulted. To be included, team-based care models had to be co-located, involve a family physician, specify the other professionals included, and provide information about their organization, their relevance and their impact within a primary care context. Models based on inter-professional intervention programs were excluded. The organization and coordination of services, the emerging contexts and the impact on the population, providers and healthcare costs were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 5952 studies were screened after removing duplicates; 15 articles were selected for final analysis. There was considerable variation in the information available as well as the terms used to describe the models. They are operationalized in various ways, generally consistent with the Patient's Medical Home vision. Except for nurses, the inclusion of other types of professionals is variable and tends to be associated with the specific nature of the services offered. The models primarily focus on individuals with mental health conditions and chronic diseases. They appear to generally satisfy the expectations of the overarching framework of a high-performing team-based primary care model at patient and provider levels. However, economic factors are seldom integrated in their evaluations.

CONCLUSIONS

The studies rarely provide an overarching view that permits an understanding of the specific contexts, service organization, their impacts, and the broader context of implementation, making it difficult to establish universal guidelines for the operationalization of effective models. Negotiating the inherent complexity associated with implementing models requires a collaborative approach between various stakeholders, including patients, to tailor the models to the specific needs and characteristics of populations in given areas, and reflection about the professionals to be included in delivering these services.

A global perspective of advanced practice nursing research: A review of systematic reviews

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization (WHO) called for the expansion of all nursing roles, including advanced practice nurses (APNs), nurse practitioners (NPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). A clearer understanding of the impact of these roles will inform global priorities for advanced practice nursing education, research, and policy.

OBJECTIVE

To identify gaps in advanced practice nursing research globally.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of systematic reviews was conducted. We searched CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, Healthstar, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, DARE, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP, and Web of Science from January 2011 onwards, with no restrictions on jurisdiction or language. Grey literature and hand searches of reference lists were undertaken. Review quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP). Study selection, data extraction and CASP assessments were done independently by two reviewers. We extracted study characteristics, country and outcome data. Data were summarized using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

We screened 5840 articles and retained 117 systematic reviews, representing 38 countries. Most CASP criteria were met. However, study selection by two reviewers was done inconsistently and language and geographical restrictions were applied. We found highly consistent evidence that APN, NP and CNS care was equal or superior to the comparator (e.g., physicians) for 29 indicator categories across a wide range of clinical settings, patient populations and acuity levels. Mixed findings were noted for quality of life, consultations, costs, emergency room visits, and health care service delivery where some studies favoured the control groups. No indicator consistently favoured the control group. There is emerging research related to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

CONCLUSION

There is a large body of advanced practice nursing research globally, but several WHO regions are underrepresented. Identified research gaps include AI, interprofessional team functioning, workload, and patients and families as partners in healthcare.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021278532.

Professional identity work of nurse practitioners and family physicians in primary care in Quebec and Ontario - a study protocol

BACKGROUND

Solo medical practices in primary healthcare delivery have been abandoned in favor of interdisciplinary teamwork in most Western countries. Dynamics in interdisciplinary teams might however be particularly difficult when two or more autonomous health professionals develop similar roles at the practice level. This is the case of family physicians (FPs) and nurse practitioners (NPs), due to the fact that the latter might accomplish not only the traditional role proper to a nurse, but also several medical activities such as requesting diagnostic exams and prescribing medical treatments. The tensions that this overlap might generate and their implications in regard of the development of professional identities, and consequently of the quality of health care delivered, have been suggested, but rarely examined empirically. The goal of this study is to examine identity work, i.e., the processes of (re)construction of professional identities, of NPs and FPs working together in primary care interdisciplinary teams.

METHODS

A longitudinal, interpretive, and comparative multiple (n = 2) case study is proposed. Identity work theory in organizations is adopted as theoretical perspective. Cases are urban primary care multidisciplinary teams from two different Canadian provinces: Quebec and Ontario. Participants are NPs, FPs, managers, and patients. Data gathering involves audio-diaries, individual semi-structured and focus group interviews, observations, and archival material. Narrative and metaphor techniques are adopted for analyzing data collected. Within- and cross-case analysis will be performed.

DISCUSSION

For practice, the results of this investigation will: (a) be instrumental for clinicians, primary care managers, and policy decision-makers responsible for the implementation of interdisciplinary teamwork in primary healthcare delivery to improve decision-making processes and primary care team performance over time; (b) inform continuing interdisciplinary professional development educational initiatives that support competency in health professionals' identity construction in interdisciplinary primary care organizations. For research, the project will contribute to enriching theory about identity construction dynamics in health professions, both in the fields of health services and primary care education research.

Construct Validity Testing of the Provider Co-Management Index to Measure Shared Care in Provider Dyads

BACKGROUND

Co-management encompasses the dyadic process between two healthcare providers. The Provider Co-Management Index (PCMI) was initially developed as a 20-item instrument across three theory-informed subscales.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to establish construct validity of the PCMI with a sample of primary care providers through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants randomly selected from the IQVIA database across New York State. Mail surveys were used to acquire a minimum of 300 responses for split sample factor analyses. The first subsample (derivation sample) was used to explore factorial structure by conducting an exploratory factor analysis. A second (validation) sample was used to confirm the emerged factorial structure using confirmatory factor analysis. We performed iterative analysis and calculated good fit indices to determine the best-fit model.

RESULTS

There were 333 responses included in the analysis. Cronbach's alpha was high for a three-item per dimension scale within a one-factor model. The instrument was named PCMI-9 to indicate the shorter version length.

DISCUSSION

This study established the construct validity of an instrument that scales the co-management of patients by two providers. The final instrument includes nine items on a single factor using a 4-point, Likert-type scale. Additional research is needed to establish discriminant validity.

Models of care with advanced practice nurses in the emergency department: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Emergency departments play a critical role in healthcare systems internationally. Visits for emergency care continue to increase, related to poor access to primary care, the COVID-19 pandemic, and health human resource issues. International literature shows similar stressors in the emergency department. Extended wait times to see health providers lead to poor outcomes, and innovative models of care are needed to address emergency department overcrowding and to meet the needs of patients. Advanced practice nurses have the expertise and scope of practice to optimize and address primary and acute care needs and could be further integrated into the emergency healthcare systems. It is unclear what and how advanced practice nurses are functioning in emergency departments to improve patient and organization outcomes.

METHODS

This scoping review was a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMCARE, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and gray literature. Authors developed inclusion and exclusion criteria, performed title and abstract screening, and full text screening using review software. Data about models of care with advanced practice nurses were extracted and organized to understand patient, provider, and organizational outcomes. We also extracted information about the development and implementation of roles.

RESULTS

Of the 6780 records identified, 76 met inclusion criteria. Emergency department models of care, mainly using nurse practitioners, include fast-track, generalized emergency, minor injury, orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, specific populations, and triage. Reported patient outcomes include improvement in key metrics specific to emergency departments, such as total length of stay, wait times to be seen by a provider, left without being seen rates, treatment for pain, costs, and resource use. When comparing nurse practitioners to other providers, outcomes were similar or better for patient and organizational outcomes.

DISCUSSION

Various models of care utilizing advanced practice nurses in emergency departments are present internationally and information about how they are developed, integrated, and utilized provides practical information to support and sustain new roles. There is an opportunity to expand the use of these roles into emergency departments as the nurse practitioner scope of practice grows. Given the current crisis across healthcare systems, there is need for innovation, and improving delivery of emergency services with these advanced practice nursing models of care can help to address important health policy priorities in Canada and other countries.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Advanced Practice Nurse models of care in emergency - Improved outcomes for patients and organizations - A review of the literature. @SamanthaH_RN.

A Systematic Review of Outcomes Related to Nurse Practitioner-Delivered Primary Care for Multiple Chronic Conditions

Multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) are more common and costly than any individual health condition in the United States. The growing workforce of nurse practitioners (NPs) plays an active role in providing primary care to this patient population. This study identifies the effect of NP primary care models, compared with models without NP involvement, on cost, quality, and service utilization by patients with MCCs. We conducted a literature search of six databases and performed critical appraisal. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria (years: 2003-2021). Overall, most studies showed reduced or similar costs, equivalent or better quality, and similar or lower rates of emergency department use and hospitalization associated with NP primary care models for patients with MCCs, compared with models without NP involvement. No studies found them associated with worse outcomes. Thus, NP primary care models, compared with models without NP involvement, have similar or positive impacts on MCC patient outcomes.

General Practitioner's Experience of Public-Private Partnerships to Develop Team-Based Care: A Qualitative Study

Objectives: A tripartite public-private partnership was established between GPs' practices, public health authorities and a university department of family medicine, to develop multidisciplinary teams and integrate nurses into GPs' practices. The present paper describes the points of view of the GPs involved in this collaboration. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study, with data coming from eight interviews with GPs, one from each practice. We also used the facilitator's project diary to complete the discussion. Results: The principal issue discussed was the financial aspects of the collaboration. GPs are generally satisfied, but time spent coordinating with nurses and transferring activities made them fear financial losses. Secondly, the partnership with public health authorities was well appreciated, but not clear enough. Some aspects of the partnership, such as referring patient to the nurse should have been better defined et controlled. The last aspect was the academic support. It allowed reducing GPs' workload in training nurses and supporting the project implementation within the GPs' practice. Conclusion: GPs have a positive point of view of such public-private partnership and saw an opportunity to be involved in developing public health policies.

Identifying indicators sensitive to primary healthcare nurse practitioner practice: A review of systematic reviews

AIM

To identify indicators sensitive to the practice of primary healthcare nurse practitioners (PHCNPs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of systematic reviews was undertaken to identify indicators sensitive to PHCNP practice. Published and grey literature was searched from January 1, 2010 to December 2, 2022. Titles/abstracts (n = 4251) and full texts (n = 365) were screened independently by two reviewers, with a third acting as a tie-breaker. Reference lists of relevant publications were reviewed. Risk of bias was examined independently by two reviewers using AMSTAR-2. Data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by a second reviewer to describe study characteristics, indicators, and results. Indicators were recoded into categories. Findings were summarized using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Forty-four systematic reviews were retained including 271 indicators that were recoded into 26 indicator categories at the patient, provider and health system levels. Nineteen reviews were assessed to be at low risk of bias. Patient indicator categories included activities of daily living, adaptation to health conditions, clinical conditions, diagnosis, education-patient, mortality, patient adherence, quality of life, satisfaction, and signs and symptoms. Provider indicator categories included adherence to best practice-providers, education-providers, illness prevention, interprofessional team functioning, and prescribing. Health system indicator categories included access to care, consultations, costs, emergency room visits, healthcare service delivery, hospitalizations, length of stay, patient safety, quality of care, scope of practice, and wait times.

DISCUSSION

Equal to improved care for almost all indicators was found consistently for the PHCNP group. Very few indicators favoured the control group. No indicator was identified for high/low fidelity simulation, cultural safety and cultural sensitivity with people in vulnerable situations or Indigenous Peoples.

CONCLUSION

This review of systematic reviews identified patient, provider and health system indicators sensitive to PHCNP practice. The findings help clarify how PHCNPs contribute to care outcomes.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020198182.

Comparison of Ambulatory Quality Measures Between Shared Practice Panels and Independent Practice Panels

Objective

To assess for differences in patient care outcomes in the primary care setting for patients assigned to an independent practice panel (IPP) or a shared practice panel (SPP).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the electronic health records of patients of 2 Mayo Clinic family medicine primary care clinics from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Patients were assigned to either an IPP (physician or advanced practice provider [APP]) or an SPP (physician and ≥1 APP). We assessed 6 measures of quality care and compared them between IPP and SPP groups: diabetes optimal care, hypertension control, depression remission at 6 months, breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, and colon cancer screening.

Results

The study included 114,438 patients assigned to 140 family medicine panels during the study period: 87 IPPs and 53 SPPs. The IPP clinicians showed improved quality metrics compared with the SPP clinicians for the percentage of assigned patients achieving depression remission (16.6% vs 11.1%; P<.01). The SPP clinicians showed improved quality metrics compared with that of the IPP clinicians for the percentage of patients with cervical cancer screening (79.1% vs 74.2%; P<.01). The mean percentage of the panels achieving optimal diabetes control, hypertension control, colon cancer screening, and breast cancer screening were not significantly different between IPP and SPP panels.

Conclusion

This study shows a considerable improvement in depression remission among IPP panels and in cervical cancer screening rates among SPP panels. This information may help to inform primary care team configuration.

Functional diversity and team innovation: A study on the mediating role of social cohesion in primary care teams

BACKGROUND

Bringing together professionals with different knowledge and skills comes with the opportunity to spur the innovativeness of primary care teams. Nevertheless, empirical evidence shows that it is not self-evident that these innovations are also realized. The social categorization theory suggests that a better understanding of whether these potential team innovations are realized can be obtained by looking at the social cohesion of such teams.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to study the relationship between functional diversity and team innovation in primary care teams by examining the mediating role of social cohesion.

METHODOLOGY

Survey responses and administrative data of 887 primary care professionals and 75 supervisors in 100 primary care teams were analyzed. Structural equation modeling was used to examine a curvilinear mediated relationship among functional diversity and team innovation through social cohesion.

RESULTS

The findings show a positive relationship between social cohesion and team innovation as expected. Contrary to the expectations, the relationship between functional diversity and social cohesion is insignificant, and the results show an inverted U-shaped relationship between functional diversity and team innovation instead.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals an unexpected inverted U-shaped relationship between functional diversity and team innovation. This relationship is not mediated by social cohesion; however, social cohesion is still a significant predictor of team innovation.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Policymakers should be aware of the relevance as well as the complexity of creating social cohesion in functionally diverse primary care teams. As long as it remains unknown how social cohesion is stimulated in functionally diverse teams, it seems best for the team innovation to prevent bringing together too many, but also too few, different functions.

Emergency Nursing Workforce, Burnout, and Job Turnover in the United States: A National Sample Survey Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have examined emergency nurses who have left their job to better understand the reason behind job turnover. It also remains unclear whether emergency nurses differ from other nurses regarding burnout and job turnover reasons. Our study aimed to test differences in reasons for turnover or not currently working between emergency nurses and other nurses; and ascertain factors associated with burnout as a reason for turnover among emergency nurses.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of 2018 National Sample Survey for Registered Nurses data (weighted N = 3,004,589) from Health Resources and Services Administration. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and t-test, and unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression applying design sampling weights.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in burnout comparing emergency nurses with other nurses. Seven job turnover reasons were endorsed by emergency nurses and were significantly higher than other nurses: insufficient staffing (11.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.6-14.2, P = .01), physical demands (5.1%, 95% CI 3.4-7.6, P = .44), patient population (4.3%, 95% CI 2.9-6.3, P < .001), better pay elsewhere (11.5%, 95% CI 9-14.7, P < .001), career advancement/promotion (9.6%, 95% CI 7.0-13.2, P = .01), length of commute (5.1%, 95% CI 3.4-7.5, P = .01), and relocation (5%, 95% CI 3.6-7.0, P = .01). Increasing age and increased years since nursing licensure was associated with decreased odds of burnout.

DISCUSSION

Several modifiable factors appear associated with job turnover. Interventions and future research should account for unit-specific factors that may precipitate nursing job turnover.

Initial psychometric properties of the provider-co-management index-RN to scale registered nurse-physician co-management: Implications for burnout, job satisfaction, and intention to leave current position

Team-based care has become a cornerstone of care delivery to meet the demands of high-quality patient care. Yet, there is a lack of valid and reliable instruments to measure the effectiveness of co-management between clinician dyads, particularly physicians and registered nurses (RNs). The purpose of this study was to adapt an existing instrument, Provider Co-Management Index (PCMI), previously used among primary care providers into a new version to scale RN-physician co-management (called PCMI-RN). We also aimed to explore preliminary associations between RN-physician co-management and burnout, job satisfaction, and intention to leave current job. Face, cognitive, and content validity testing, using mixed methods approaches, were preceded by initial pilot testing (n = 122 physicians and nurses) in an acute care facility. The internal consistency reliability (α=.83) was high. One-quarter of participants reported burnout, 27% were dissatisfied with their job, and 20% reported intention to leave their job. There was a weak significant correlation between co-management and burnout (p = .010), and co-management and job satisfaction (p = .009), but not intention to leave current position. Construct validity testing is recommended. Future research using PCMI-RN may help to isolate factors that support or inhibit effective physician-nurse co-management.

Enacting primary healthcare interprofessional collaboration: a multisite ethnography of nurse practitioner integration in Ontario, Canada

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is known to enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction. In primary healthcare (PHC), IPC aims to transform care provision and team functioning, but its implementation is challenging and has yielded mixed results. We aimed to describe the enactment of IPC in PHC settings, particularly as it relates to nurse practitioner (NP) integration. A multisite ethnography involving 6 Canadian PHC clinics was carried out. We conducted 330 hours of direct observation, 23 semi-structured interviews with PHC NPs, informal interviews with key PHC partners, and document analysis. IPC in PHC was found to rest on human and non-human actors that interact in complex ways. Organizational mandates and remuneration models, physical spaces and schedules played a decisive role in the enactment of IPC. Power structures embedded in certain designations (i.e., most responsible provider) or NPs' commitments to physicians' practices stood in contrast with the principles of IPC. NPs enacted various role to develop, enhance, and maintain IPC. Despite shifts in PHC provision, IPC remains poorly defined and precariously sustained.

Mitigating primary care provider burnout with interdisciplinary dyads and shared care delivery

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Increased incidence of chronic illnesses coupled with physician shortages have yielded strain on primary care provider (PCP) to meet care demands. Interdisciplinary providers have increasingly been embedded into primary care teams to alleviate some workload demand. Little evidence exists about the impact of interdisciplinary PCP care delivery models on provider strain in primary care. To determine the impact of interdisciplinary PCP care delivery on burnout, job satisfaction and intention to leave current position.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional mail survey using Dillman methodology of primary care practices (e.g., internal medicine) across New York State. A random sample of interdisciplinary PCPs (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) (n = 333) responded. The Provider Comanagement Index (α = 0.85) was used to measure how well interdisciplinary dyads comanagement care delivery attributes (effective communication; mutual respect and trust; shared philosophy of care). Provider outcomes were measured with validated Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Health Resources and Services Administration items for burnout, job satisfaction and intention to leave position. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression models, crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated, controlling for participant and practice characteristics.

RESULTS

Almost 30% of participants reported burnout with three times the odds of intending to leave their current position within 1 year. With each unit increase in effective comanagement between interdisciplinary dyads there was 15% less burnout and 10% less odds of intention to leave position.

CONCLUSION

Incorporating interdisciplinary specialties in primary care appears promising to alleviate some adverse provider outcomes. Organizations contemplating delivery models to promote well-being and retention may consider comanagement. Cost effectiveness research is needed to determine financial sustainability of interdisciplinary care delivery.

Country-level mentoring for advanced practice nursing: A case study

AIM

To describe the mentoring process between the ICN Advanced Practice Nurse Network practice subgroup and the University of Pécs to support the emerging advanced practice role in Hungary, and explore the creation of a mentoring algorithm for faculty and other key stakeholders worldwide who wish to develop advanced practice nursing programs.

BACKGROUND

Advanced practice nurses provide comprehensive clinical care and expand access to care in more than 70 countries. In March of 2017, a representative of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Pécs requested assistance in curricula development for the inaugural advanced practice nursing program in Hungary.

METHODS

A mixed-methods single case study was undertaken. The sources of evidence include interviews, e-mails, review of the literature, and related documents. Qualitative data were analyzed for content, and frequencies were calculated for quantitative indicators.

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

The findings highlight the importance of clear communication, development of shared goals, and determination to see the project through. Enriching information was provided by colleagues from diverse global settings. Credibility was gained in Hungary from the support of national and international experts.

CONCLUSION

The mentoring foundation and process facilitated the role development in Hungary and contributed to an increased understanding of advanced practice nurses' scope of practice. The intentional approach and the careful ongoing reflection may lead to future successful endeavors. Multinational engagement and collaborations will promote advanced practice nursing contributions globally.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY

Mentoring can effectively empower nurses and advanced practice nurses to work to their full capacity. The shared experiences of international mentoring colleagues can contribute to and support the development and acceptance of national policies for the advanced practice nursing roles.

Defining the social determinants of health for nursing action to achieve health equity: A consensus paper from the American academy of nursing

BACKGROUND

The 2019-2020 American Academy of Nursing (Academy, 2019) policy priorities document states that "they have a clear and distinct focus on social determinants of health and uses this lens to advance policies and solutions within each of the three overarching priorities" PURPOSE: This consensus paper seeks to establish conceptual clarity and consensus for what social determinants of health mean for nursing, with emphasis on examples of health policies that advance planetary health equity and improve planetary health-related quality of life.

METHODS

Volunteers from five Expert Panels of the Academy met via videoconference to determine roles and refine the focus of the paper. After the initial discussion, the first draft of the conceptual framework was written by the first three authors of the paper and, after discussion via videoconference with all the co-authors, successive drafts were developed and circulated for feedback. Consensus was reached when all authors indicated acceptance of what became the final version of the conceptual framework.

DISCUSSION

A conceptual framework was developed that describes how the social determinants of health can be addressed through nursing roles and actions at the individual, family, and population levels with a particular focus on the role of health policy. The paper provides a specific health policy example for each of the six key areas of the social determinants of health to illustrate how nurses can act to improve population health.

CONCLUSION

Nursing actions can support timely health policy changes that focus on upstream factors in the six key areas of the social determinants of health and thus improve population health. The urgent need to eliminate systematic and structural racism must be central to such policy change if equity in planetary health-related quality of life is to be attained.

Recent evidence of nurse practitioner outcomes in a variety of care settings

ABSTRACT

When nurse practitioners (NPs) work to expand their scope of practice through state legislatures, the opposing lobbying groups are often physician-led organizations. The main argument against NP independence and limited scope of practice is that NP care is inherently inferior to that of physicians. However, more than three decades of research demonstrates quality and cost outcomes to be equal to or better than that of physicians. This article reviews a wide range of evidence documenting NP competency, satisfaction, and safety, as well as the challenges and consequences when limiting NP scope of practice. The evidence is clear and has not changed in over 30 years, NPs provide access to effective primary care in a variety of settings, equal in quality outcomes, safety, and cost-effectiveness compared with physicians.

Organizational facilitators and barriers to optimal APRN practice: An integrative review

BACKGROUND

The organizational environment can foster or impede full deployment of advance practice registered nurses (APRNs), affecting the quality of care and patient outcomes. Given the critical role APRNs play in health care, it is important to understand organizational factors that promote or hinder APRN practice to maximize the potential of this workforce in health care systems.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to synthesize evidence about APRN practice environments, identify organizational facilitators and barriers, and make recommendations for better APRN utilization.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsychInfo, yielding 366 studies. No time or geographic limitations were applied. Study quality was appraised using the National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies and The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Studies.

RESULTS

Thirty studies conducted in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands met inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies involved nurse practitioners. Facilitators to optimal practice environment were autonomy/independent practice and positive physician/APRN relations. Barriers included policy restrictions on practice, poor physician relations, poor administrator relations, and others' lack of understanding of the APRN role. Barriers correlate with job dissatisfaction and increased intent to leave job.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The review highlights the importance of physician and administration relations, organizational-level policies, and colleagues' understanding of the APRN role in promoting effective practice environments. Organizations should align policy reform efforts with factors that foster positive APRN practice environments to efficiently and effectively utilize this increasingly vital workforce. Future research is warranted.

Update on Approaches to Improve Delivery and Quality of Care for People with Diabetes

To translate improvements in diabetes management into improved outcomes, it is essential to improve care delivery. To help guide clinicians and health organizations in their efforts to achieve these improvements, this article briefly describes key components underpinning effective diabetes care and six categories of innovations in approaches to improve diabetes care delivery: (1) team-based clinical care; (2) cross-specialty collaboration/integration; (3) virtual clinical care/telehealth; (4) use of community health workers (CHWs) and trained peers to provide pro-active self-management support; (5) incorporating screening for and addressing social determinants of health into clinical practice; and (6) cross-sectoral clinic/community partnerships.

An Overview of Reviews on Interprofessional Collaboration in Primary Care: Effectiveness

Introduction:

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is increasingly used but diversely implemented in primary care. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of IPC in primary care settings.

Methods:

An overview (review of systematic reviews) was carried out. We searched nine databases and employed a double selection and data extraction method. Patient-related outcomes were categorized, and results coded as improvement (+), worsening (–), mixed results (?) or no change (0).

Results:

34 reviews were included. Six types of IPC were identified: IPC in primary care (large scope) (n = 8), physician-nurse in primary care (n = 1), primary care physician (PCP)-specialty care provider (n = 5), PCP-pharmacist (n = 3), PCP-mental healthcare provider (n = 15), and intersectoral collaboration (n = 2). In general, IPC in primary care was beneficial for patients with variation between types of IPC. Whereas reviews about IPC in primary care (large scope) showed better processes of care and higher patient satisfaction, other types of IPC reported mixed results for clinical outcomes, healthcare use and patient-reported outcomes. Also, reviews focusing on interventions based on pre-existing and well-defined models, such as collaborative care, overall reported more benefits. However, heterogeneity between the included primary studies hindered comparison and often led to the report of mixed results. Finally, professional- and organizational-related outcomes were under-reported, and cost-related outcomes showed some promising results for IPC based on pre-existing models; results were lacking for other types.

Conclusions:

This overview suggests that interprofessional collaboration can be effective in primary care. Better understanding of the characteristics of IPC processes, their implementation, and the identification of effective elements, merits further attention.

Disruptive behavior in a high-power distance culture and a three-dimensional framework for curbing it

Disruptive behavior can harm high-quality care and is prevalent in many Western public health systems despite increasing spotlight on it. Comparatively less knowledge about it is available in Asia, a region commonly associated with high-power distance, which may limit its effectiveness in addressing disruptive behavior.

Patient and family views of team functioning in primary healthcare teams with nurse practitioners: a survey of patient-reported experience and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Nurse practitioners (NPs) have been added to primary healthcare teams to improve access to care. Team processes, including communication and decision-making, explicate how patients and families view team functioning. Yet, important gaps exist in our understanding of patient-reported experience and outcomes at the level of the healthcare team. We aimed to examine the influence of individual, team, and organizational characteristics, and role clarity on outcomes of care mediated by team processes in primary healthcare teams that include NPs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey across six sites representing practices with NPs in Québec, Canada, was conducted between March 2018 and April 2019 as part of a multiple-case study. Patients and families (n = 485; response rate: 53%) completed a validated questionnaire, which included a patient-reported experience measure (PREM) and a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of team functioning (Cronbach alpha: 0.771 (PROM) to 0.877 (PREM)). We performed logistic regression and mediation analyses to examine relationships between the individual, team, and organizational characteristics, role clarity, and outcomes of care mediated by team processes.

RESULTS

Patients and families expressed positive perceptions of team functioning (mean 4.97/6 [SD 0.68]) and outcomes of care (5.08/6 [0.74]). Also, high team processes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 14.92 [95% CI 8.11 to 27.44]) was a significant predictor of high outcomes of care. Role clarity (indirect effect coefficient ab = 6.48 [95% CI 3.79 to 9.56]), living in an urban area (-1.32 [-2.59 to -0.13]), patient as respondent (-1.43 [-2.80 to -0.14]), and income (1.73 [0.14 to 3.45]) were significant predictors of outcomes of care mediated by team processes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides key insights on how primary healthcare teams with NPs contribute to team functioning, using a validated instrument consistent with a conceptual framework. Results highlight that high role clarity, living in a non urban area, family as respondent, and adequate income were significant predictors of high outcomes of care mediated by high team processes. Additional research is needed to compare teams with and without NPs in different settings, to further explicate the relationships identified in our study.

The impact of nurse practitioner and physician assistant workforce supply on Medicaid-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations

BACKGROUND

New York State (NYS) has approximately 4.7 million Medicaid beneficiaries with 75% having at least one or more chronic conditions. An estimated 10% of Medicaid beneficiaries seek emergency department (ED) services for nonurgent matters. It is unclear if an increased supply of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) impact utilization of ED and subsequent hospitalizations for chronic conditions.

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between NYS workforce supply (physicians, NPs, and PAs) and 1) ED use and 2) in-patient hospitalizations for chronically ill Medicaid beneficiaries.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was employed by calculating total workforce supply per NYS county and the proportion of physicians, NPs, and PAs per total number of Medicaid beneficiaries. We extracted the frequencies of all NYS Medicaid beneficiary chronic condition-related ED visits and in-patient admissions. Medicaid beneficiaries were considered to have a chronic condition if there was a claim indicating that the beneficiary received a service or treatment for this specific condition. We calculated the proportion of ED visits/beneficiary for each chronic disease category and the proportion of category-specific in-patient hospitalizations per the number of beneficiaries with that diagnosis.

RESULTS

As the NP/beneficiary proportion increased, ED visits for dual and nondual eligible beneficiaries decreased (p = .007; β = -2.218; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.79 to -0.644 and p = .04; β = -2.698; 95% CI: -5.268 to -0.127, respectively).

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Counties with a higher proportion of NPs and PAs had significantly lower numbers of ED visits and hospitalizations for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Processes and outcomes of diabetes mellitus care by different types of team primary care models

Background

Team care improves processes and outcomes of care, especially for patients with complex medical conditions that require coordination of care. This study aimed to compare the processes and outcomes of care provided to older patients with diabetes by primary care teams comprised of only primary care physicians (PCPs) versus team care that included nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs).

Methods

We studied 3,524 primary care practices identified via social network analysis and 306,741 patients ≥66 years old diagnosed with diabetes in or before 2015 in Medicare data. Guideline-recommended diabetes care included eye examination, hemoglobin A1c test, and nephropathy monitoring. High-risk medications were based on recommendations from the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Preventable hospitalizations were defined as hospitalizations for a potentially preventable condition.

Results

Compared with patients in the PCP only teams, patients in the team care practices with NPs or PAs received more guideline-recommended diabetes care (annual eye exam: adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00–1.08), 1.08 (95% CI: 1.03–1.13), and 1.10 (95% CI: 1.05–1.15), and HbA1C test: aOR: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.18), 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02–1.20), and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.06–1.25) for PCP/NP, PCP/NP/PA, and PCP/PA teams). Patients in the PCP/NP and the PCP/PA teams had a slightly higher likelihood of being prescribed high-risk medications (aOR: 1.03 (95% CI: 1.00–1.07), and 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02–1.11), respectively). The likelihood of preventable hospitalizations was similar among patients cared for by various types of practices.

Conclusion

The team care practices with NPs or PAs were associated with better adherence to clinical practice guideline recommendations for diabetes compared to PCP only practices. Both practices had similar outcomes. Further efforts are needed to explore new and cost-effective team-based care delivery models that improve process, outcomes, and continuity of care, as well as patient care experiences.

Towards an evolution of interprofessional practice: Lessons learned from two jazz piano trios

Interprofessional practice has been of great interest to both health systems and educational institutions, but has been slow to develop in actual practice. Important efforts to speed adoption have mostly focused on changes in structure or educational interventions. It turns out that the field of jazz music was grappling with similar issues in the early 1960s. In this essay, we draw lessons from the experiences of jazz musicians during a time of transition. We conclude that significant cultural transformation, focused on two paradoxes, and the barriers and contexts that flow from them, will be necessary to achieve ideal interprofessional healthcare practice.

Mental health delivery in primary care: The perspectives of primary care providers

PURPOSE

To explore perspectives of primary care providers (PCPs), including physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs), about delivery of mental health care in primary care settings.

METHODS

We used a qualitative descriptive designed convenience sample of physicians (N = 12) and NPs (N = 14) through face-to-face interviews in New York State.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged: 1) prioritization of patient needs; 2) applicability of mental health care in primary care settings; and 3) physician and NP approaches to mental health care.

CONCLUSIONS

PCPs recognized importance of addressing patients' mental health care needs and barriers in primary care practices.

Nurse Practitioner Practice Environments in Primary Care and Quality of Care for Chronic Diseases

BACKGROUND

The chronic disease burden in the United States represents a significant challenge for the primary care system. The nurse practitioner (NP) workforce can help meet the demand for care; however, organizational barriers such as poor practice environments prevent NPs from delivering high quality care.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the relationship between NP practice environments and quality of care for chronic diseases.

RESEARCH DESIGN

We fit regression models to assess cross-sectional associations between claims-based quality measure performance and survey data on NP practice environments in Massachusetts.

SUBJECTS

We used survey data from 221 primary care NPs from 118 practices. We obtained quality of care data for patients with asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

MEASURES

The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Organizational Climate Questionnaire was used to measure practice environments with its following 4 subscales: NP-Physician Relations, Independent Practice and Support, Professional Visibility, and NP-Administration Relations. Three Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set measures were used to evaluate the quality of care.

RESULTS

A 1-SD increase in the organizational-level NP-Administration Relations subscale score was associated with a near doubling of the odds of receiving medication management for asthma. A 1-SD increase in the organizational-level Independent Practice and Support subscale score was associated with a 60% increase in the odds of receiving recommended screening for cardiovascular disease. There was no impact on diabetes care measure.

CONCLUSIONS

NP practice environment affected the quality of care for 2 chronic conditions. Efforts should be implemented to improve NP practice environment to potentially improve care quality.

Nurse Practitioner-Physician Comanagement of Patients in Primary Care

Current demand for primary care services will soon exceed the primary care provider (PCP) workforce capacity. As patient panel sizes increase, it has become difficult for a single PCP to deliver all recommended care. As a result, provider comanagement of the same patient has emerged in practice. Provider comanagement is defined as two or more PCPs sharing care management responsibilities for the same patient. While physician-physician comanagement of patients has been widely investigated, there is little evidence about nurse practitioner (NP)-physician comanagement. Given the large number of NPs that are practicing in primary care, more evidence is warranted about the PCP perspectives of physicians and NPs comanaging patient care. The purpose of this study was to explore NP-physician comanagement in primary care from the perspectives of PCPs. We conducted in-person qualitative interviews of 26 PCPs, including NPs and physicians, that lasted 25 to 45 minutes, were audio recorded, and then professionally transcribed. Transcripts were deidentified and checked for accuracy prior to a deductive and inductive data analysis. Physicians and NPs reported that comanagement increases adherence to recommended care guidelines, improves quality of care, and increases patient access to care. Effective communication, mutual respect and trust, and a shared philosophy of care are essential attributes of NP-physician comanagement. Physicians and NPs are optimistic about comanagement care delivery and find it a promising approach to improve the quality of care and alleviate primary care delivery strain. Efforts to promote effective NP-physician comanagement should be supported in clinical practice.

Development and Psychometric Testing of the Provider Co-Management Index: Measuring Nurse Practitioner-Physician Co-Management

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Provider co-management has emerged in practice to alleviate demands of larger, more complex patient panels, yet no tools exist to measure nurse practitioner (NP)-physician co-management. The purpose of this study is to develop a tool that measures NP-physician co-management.

METHODS

Items were generated based on three theoretical dimensions of co-management. Face and content validity were established with six experts. Pilot testing was conducted with a convenience sample of 40 NPs and physicians. We computed mean, standard deviation, skewness, interitem and corrected item-total correlations, and Cronbach's alpha.

RESULTS

Psychometric analysis yielded high subscale reliability: effective communication (α = .811); mutual respect and trust (α = .746); and shared philosophy of care (α = .779).

CONCLUSIONS

PCMI demonstrates strong internal reliability consistency. Future research to examine construct validity is recommended.

Estimating the association between burnout and electronic health record-related stress among advanced practice registered nurses

BACKGROUND

Health information technology (HIT), such as electronic health records (EHRs), is a growing part of the clinical landscape. Recent studies among physicians suggest that HIT is associated with a higher prevalence of burnout. Few studies have investigated the workflow and practice-level predictors of burnout among advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

AIM

Characterize HIT use and measure associations between EHR-related stress and burnout among APRNs.

METHODS

An electronic survey was administered to all APRNs licensed in Rhode Island, United States (N = 1197) in May-June 2017. The dependent variable was burnout, measured with the validated Mini z burnout survey. The main independent variables were three EHR-related stress measures: time spent on the EHR at home, daily frustration with the EHR, and time for documentation. Logistic regression was used to measure the association between EHR-related stress and burnout before and after adjusting for demographics, practice-level characteristics, and the other EHR-related stress measures.

RESULTS

Of the 371 participants, 73 (19.8%) reported at least one symptom of burnout. Among participants with an EHR (N = 333), 165 (50.3%) agreed or strongly agreed that the EHR added to their daily frustration and 97 (32.8%) reported an insufficient amount of time for documentation. After adjustment, insufficient time for documentation (AOR = 3.72 (1.78-7.80)) and the EHR adding to daily frustration (AOR = 2.17 (1.02-4.65)) remained predictors of burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from the present study revealed several EHR-related environmental factors are associated with burnout among APRNs. Future studies may explore the impact of addressing these EHR-related factors to mitigate burnout among this population.

Nurse Practitioner-Physician Comanagement: A Theoretical Model to Alleviate Primary Care Strain

PURPOSE

Various models of care delivery have been investigated to meet the increasing demands in primary care. One proposed model is comanagement of patients by more than 1 primary care clinician. Comanagement has been investigated in acute care with surgical teams and in outpatient settings with primary care physicians and specialists. Because nurse practitioners are increasingly managing patient care as independent clinicians, our study objective was to propose a model of nurse practitioner-physician comanagement.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search using the following key words: comanagement; primary care; nurse practitioner OR advanced practice nurse. From 156 studies, we extracted information about nurse practitioner-physician comanagement antecedents, attributes, and consequences. A systematic review of the findings helped determine effects of nurse practitioner-physician comanagement on patient care. Then, we performed 26 interviews with nurse practitioners and physicians to obtain their perspectives on nurse practitioner-physician comanagement. Results were compiled to create our conceptual nurse practitioner-physician comanagement model.

RESULTS

Our model of nurse practitioner-physician comanagement has 3 elements: effective communication; mutual respect and trust; and clinical alignment/shared philosophy of care. Interviews indicated that successful comanagement can alleviate individual workload, prevent burnout, improve patient care quality, and lead to increased patient access to care. Legal and organizational barriers, however, inhibit the ability of nurse practitioners to practice autonomously or with equal care management resources as primary care physicians.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research should focus on developing instruments to measure and further assess nurse practitioner-physician comanagement in the primary care practice setting.