Employing nurse practitioners in general practice: an exploratory survey of the perspectives of managers
Maher Mustafa 1 5 , Sue Adams 2 , Corinne Bareham 3 4 , Jenny Carryer 1
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
1 School of Nursing, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
2 School of Nursing, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
3 School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
4 Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
5 Corresponding author. Email: kiwiphd@hotmail.com
Journal of Primary Health Care 13(3) 274-282 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC21036
Published: 28 September 2021
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2021 This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Establishing the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce in New Zealand is a viable solution to health and workforce challenges in primary health care. General practices have been slow to implement NP services. Managers of general practices are central to the employment and development of NP roles.
AIM: To explore the perspectives of managers on employing NPs in general practice.
METHODS: An electronic survey was used to collect demographic and numerical data, which were analysed descriptively and analytically using SPSS (version 26). Written answers to open-ended questions were analysed qualitatively.
RESULTS: In total, 143 managers participated in the survey (response rate 39.7%); 54 (37.8%) worked in practices employing at least one NP. Of respondents, 88.9% (n = 127) agreed or strongly agreed that NPs could enhance continuity of care (89/143, 62.2%), improved access to services and medications (89/143, 62.2%) and filled a gap that added value to health care (97/143, 67.8%). Practices employing NPs had statistically significant higher levels of agreement about the advantages of NPs than practices not employing NPs. Challenges and enablers to employing NPs were themed under organisational environment, NP scope of practice and role, and NP workforce development.
DISCUSSION: This exploratory study revealed that there is little knowledge about the NP workforce in surveyed general practices. Ongoing work is required to improve knowledge for employing general practices, including dissemination of information about NP education and training, scope and models of care, and ability to generate business income.
KEYwords: Primary health care; workforce; health research; health services; models of care; nursing roles; health management.
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