Process of Emergence and Implementation of Advanced Practice Nursing in France

Overview

Longitudinal, observational research with a mixed quantitative (by questionnaires) and qualitative (by interviews and observations) approach, multidisciplinary, among Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) already graduated and 3 consecutive classes of advanced practice students who will be followed annually during their implementation as APN until the last year of the study. The questionnaires will focus on APN scope of practice evolution, economical analysis and geographical distribution of APN. The ethnographical approach will assess APN settlements and relation with healthcare colleagues and patients.

For 40 years, France has faced an increase in demand for care. At the same time, it faces problems of scarcity and unequal geographical distribution of human resources in health. Recent projections by the Ministry of Health predict a decline in French medical density over the next few years, which would more particularly concern the provision of care in private general practice. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), this development raises fears that the already significant spatial inequalities in staffing will be exacerbated. Another key player are nurses (state registered nurses), who remain insufficiently numerous and unevenly distributed, although their density is increasing in France as in most OECD countries. The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends strengthening the attractiveness of their profession and rethinking professional boundaries in order to foster cooperation with the medical professions. In France, the framework of practice of some state registered nurses has evolved within the framework of programs aimed at developing the delegation of tasks (cooperation protocols, e.g. Asalé device) and coordinated practice (health homes, health centers). In addition, in 2018, the regulatory framework for advanced practice nursing was created with a dual objective: to improve access to care and the quality of patient pathways. A specific 2-year master's degree course is currently provided by 24 universities. To date, there are 2400 APNs and 700 graduate each year. Amendment 9 relating to the APN exercise (2023) sets the financial valuation of the advanced practice nursing activity (PAI packages). A pilot study conducted by Julie Devictor et al from 2019 to 2021 showed that among the APNs of the two 1st cohorts, 20% work in primary care (mixed activity APN/state registered nurses majority), 50% in health facilities and 30% do not practice as APNs. Obstacles and levers to the implementation of advanced practice are identified in the international literature. The study hypothesize that there are also some in France, which it is necessary to identify in the context of the health system.