How do healthcare professionals and managers view the role of the advanced practice nurse?

Sonia Sevilla Guerra; Adelaida Zabalegui; Montserrat Comellas Oliva; Mercè Estrem Cuesta; Montse Martín-Baranera; Darinka Rivera Villalobos; Lena Ferrús Estopà

doi:10.1111/inr.12906

How do healthcare professionals and managers view the role of the advanced practice nurse?

Int Nurs Rev. 2023 Nov 14. doi: 10.1111/inr.12906. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sonia Sevilla Guerra¹, Adelaida Zabalegui², Montserrat Comellas Oliva³, Mercè Estrem Cuesta⁴, Montse Martín-Baranera⁵, Darinka Rivera Villalobos⁶, Lena Ferrús Estopà⁷

Affiliations

¹ Nursing Care Management, Catalan Health System, Department of Health, Barcelona, Spain.
² Deputy Nursing Director, Research and Education at Hospital Clínic Barcelona and Associated Professor at University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
³ Dean, The University School of Nursing and Occupational Therapy (EUIT), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.
⁴ Health Technical Secretariat, The Catalan Union of Hospitals, Barcelona, Spain.
⁵ Associated Professor, Autonomous University of Barcelona Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
⁶ Researcher, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and Faculty of medicine and health science at University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
⁷ Associated professor, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

PMID: 37962094
DOI: 10.1111/inr.12906

Abstract

Background: Advanced practice nurses (APN) growth depends on the implementation and acceptance of APNs in each country.

Introduction: Given the diversity of the different contexts and varying population health needs where APNs are developing, this study focuses on exploring the viewpoints of the multidisciplinary and management team who have worked with APNs in public hospitals in Catalonia, Spain.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with previously identified APNs, health professionals, and health managers. EVOHIPA, a valid and reliable scale, was used. The STROBE checklist was followed.

Findings: The results showed high levels of agreement among the 746 participants (predominantly physicians and nurses), with statements relating to the APN's contribution in enhancing care continuity and processes, resulting in safer and more patient-centered care. The results showed low levels of agreement with statements relating to legal support for the APN position, regulation, and practice scope.

Discussion: The study provides discussion elements and reflection to determine the axes on which it will be necessary to act to promote APNs and their conditions of service in the context of practice within hospital teams.

Conclusion: The study highlights the differences in opinion on APN roles among health professionals and managers who have worked with APNs and allows exploring expectations about current changes in workflows and clinical activities among healthcare team members.

Implications for nursing and health policy: Results highlight the importance of fostering a common understanding among healthcare teams to maximize the benefits of collaborative work and recognize the significant contributions of APNs within the multidisciplinary team. Health policy plays a crucial role in recognizing and promoting the contribution of APNs within hospital healthcare teams, acknowledging their autonomy and expertise in improving patient outcomes.

Keywords: Advanced practice nursing; cross-sectional study; multidisciplinary team; nursing; teamwork.