Hospitals face new challenges in providing sustainable high quality care as the prevalence of chronic conditions, multimorbidity and the complexity of care increases. The high burden on healthcare teams, the growing costs and the increasing scarcity in healthcare providers (HCPs) result in unmet needs of patients and their families and a high workload on HCPs. Worldwide there is growing recognition that new care models integrating nurse practitioners (NPs) in interdisciplinary teams could contribute to respond to these challenges. ANP is defined as an "advanced practice nurse (APN) who integrates clinical skills associated with nursing and medicine in order to assess, diagnose and manage patients in primary healthcare settings and acute care populations as well as ongoing care for populations with chronic illness". Despite the proven benefits of integrating NPs in interdisciplinary teams, the introduction of NPs in Belgium is at an early stage. Advanced practice nurses, including NPs, are formally recognized in Belgium since 2019, but there is still no legal framework in which additional rights or agreements compared to other nursing groups are defined. Given the early stage of introduction, little is known about the development, implementation and impact of NPs in the Belgian health care context. Insights in implementation processes and the effectiveness of NP roles at different levels can inform healthcare managers and policy makers for future (nation-wide) implementation in a hospital setting. The overall objective of this longitudinal pre-post mixed methods study is to develop, implement and evaluate the integration of the role of NPs in four different departments in a Belgian university hospital.
A mixed methods design is used to enrich the gathered data, resulting in an integrated approach for addressing the complexity of this study. This method creates the opportunity to triangulate and integrate quantitative and qualitative data resulting in a complete and nuanced understanding of complex phenomena . Several strategies are used to enhance the internal validity of the quantitative part. At first, all questionnaires that will be used will be validated and selected after thorough consideration of several researchers with experience in mixed methods implementation research. Secondly, using a wide range of outcome indicators, increases the ability to distinguish confounding from independent variables. Thirdly, if possible a matched controlled group will be used to compare outcomes. Internal validity of qualitative data will be ensured in the stage of data collection by involving researchers who did not participate in the PAR-process to conduct the interviews and focus group interviews. In the stage of data analysis, internal validity of the qualitative data will be enhanced by systematically organizing and coding data and triangulation (data and researcher). Analysis and comparison of the four different settings will reinforce the external validity and transferability of the findings.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,000
Introduction of a Nurse Practitioner in the interdisciplinary care team
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium
University Hospital Ghent
Ghent, Belgium
Change in quality of care NPSS - ambulatory
Satisfaction with NP/doctor consultation. The data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for patients (and their parents). Validated tools, the Nurse Practitioner Satisfaction Survey (NPSS) and the Quality of care through the patients eyes will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in quality of care though the patients eyes - ambulatory liver cirrhosis
Satisfaction with NP/doctor consultation. The data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for patients (and their parents). A validated tool, the Quality of care through the patients eyes will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in Quality of care (GS-PEQ) - hospitalization
Patient perception and experiences of quality of care provided during hospitalisation. The data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for patients. A validated tool the Generic Short Patient Experiences Questionnaire will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in Quality of care (Picker) - hospitalization
Patient perception and experiences of quality of care provided during hospitalisation. The data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for patients. A validated tool the Picker Patient Experience Questionnaire will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in hospital admissions - ambulatory
Number of hospital admissions for patients in ambulatory care. The data will be collected from the patients medical file.
Time frame: All admissions one year before and after introduction will be registered. The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Length of stay hospital admissions - ambulatory
Length of stay in hospital for patients in ambulatory care. The data will be collected from the patients medical file.
Time frame: Length of stay of all admissions 12 months before and 12 months after introduction of the Nurse practitioner will be registered.
Change in readmission - hospitalization
Readmission within seven days after discharge. The data will be collected from the patients medical file.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in mortality rates
Mortality rates of patients included in the study. The data will be collected from the patients medical file.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in pain Scores
Pain scores during hospitalization of surgical patients. The data will be collected from the patiënts medical file. Data will be registered from admission until dismissal.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in completeness of recording profile
Completeness of recording profile within 24h after admission will be registered. The data will be collected from the patients medical file.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in timely resignation letters
Availability of the resignation letter within 24h after admission will be registered. The data will be collected from the patients medical file.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in protocol adherence
Care provided after surgery will be compared to the ERAS-protocol. The data will be collected from the patients medical file.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in psychosocial conditions in workplaces
Psychosocial conditions in workplaces of healthcare providers. The data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for healthcare providers. A validated tool, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III) will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in team collaboration
Team effectiveness experienced by healthcare providers. The data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for healtcare providers. A validated tool, the Perceptions of Team Effectiveness (PTE) will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in effectiveness of mentoring
Effectiveness of mentoring experienced by the Nurse practitioner and mentor of the Nurse practitioner. The data will be collected by use of individual interviews (mentor and trainee). Additionally data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for trainees. A validated tool, the mentorship effectiveness scale will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Number of medication prescriptions
Medication prescriptions before and after introduction of the nurse practitioner. The data will be collected from the patients medical file. Data will be registered from admission until dismissal.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in selfmanagement liver cirrhosis (HEIQ)
Knowledge, skills and confidence in selfmanagement. The data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for patients. Avalidated tools, Health Education Impact Questionnaire (HEIQ) for liver cirrhosis will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in selfmanagement epilepsy medication (PEMSQ)
Knowledge, skills and confidence in selfmanagement. The data will be collected by use of a questionnaire for parents of patients. A validated tool, the Pediatric Epilepsy Medication Self-Management Questionnaire (PEMSQ), will be used.
Time frame: The data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
Change in bed occupancy rates
Bed occupancy rates at the ward before and after introduction of the nurse practitioner. The data will be collected from the administrative files.
Time frame: he data will be collected at three points during the study: baseline T0 (before introduction), T1 (6 months after introduction) and T2 (1 year after introduction)
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