TY - JOUR
T1 - Nurses in advanced roles as a strategy for equitable access to healthcare in the WHO Western Pacific region
T2 - a mixed methods study
AU - Kim, Sue
AU - Lee, Tae Wha
AU - Kim, Gwang Suk
AU - Cho, Eunhee
AU - Jang, Yeonsoo
AU - Choi, Mona
AU - Baek, Seoyoung
AU - Lindsay, David
AU - Chan, Sally
AU - Lee, Regina L.T.
AU - Guo, Aimin
AU - Wong, Frances Kam Yuet
AU - Yu, Doris
AU - Chair, Sek Ying
AU - Shimpuku, Yoko
AU - Mashino, Sonoe
AU - Lim, Gigi
AU - Bonito, Sheila
AU - Rumsey, Michele
AU - Neill, Amanda
AU - Hazarika, Indrajit
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by Yonsei University College of Nursing (grant number: 6-2017-0112).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).
PY - 2021/12
Y1 - 2021/12
N2 - Background: The Western Pacific region constitutes one-quarter of the world’s population and has diverse health needs. While dialogue on and promotion of advanced practice nurses are ongoing, this study investigated the current responsibilities of nurses in advanced roles, future healthcare needs, and the implications of these components for nurses’ professional development within the Western Pacific region. Methods: This study employed three phases, a descriptive survey on the current status of nurses in advanced roles in the Western Pacific region, followed by a Delphi survey, and exploratory interviews. A total of 55 national experts with clinical, academic, and/or government-related backgrounds from 18 countries participated from December 2017 – December 2018. The descriptive survey via email to identify the status of nurses in advanced roles and a working definition was developed. This formed the basis for the Delphi survey, which identified key barriers and challenges for enhancing the development of nurses in advanced roles within the country (round 1) and for the region (rounds 2 and 3). Lastly, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to identify strategies for establishing nurses in advanced roles to improve equitable access to healthcare. Results: Thirty-seven roles and characteristics were identified and categorized for nurses performing advanced roles. Emergency care, critical care, elderly health, child health, and rural/remote communities were identified as fields with particular need for nurses in advanced roles in the Western Pacific region. Providing effective services, influencing government leadership, and advocating for health system sustainability were deemed necessary to improve equitable healthcare access. We found that nurses in advanced roles are not limited to clinical tasks within the hospital but are poised for active participation in primary healthcare, education/teaching, professional leadership, quality management, and research. Conclusions: Demand for nurses in advanced roles is high in the Western Pacific region and 15 items were identified across five core strategic areas to enhance development of nurses in advanced roles. Governmental-level recommendations include establishing legislative protection, improving systems for remuneration, strengthening supportive channels, and conducting national needs assessments.
AB - Background: The Western Pacific region constitutes one-quarter of the world’s population and has diverse health needs. While dialogue on and promotion of advanced practice nurses are ongoing, this study investigated the current responsibilities of nurses in advanced roles, future healthcare needs, and the implications of these components for nurses’ professional development within the Western Pacific region. Methods: This study employed three phases, a descriptive survey on the current status of nurses in advanced roles in the Western Pacific region, followed by a Delphi survey, and exploratory interviews. A total of 55 national experts with clinical, academic, and/or government-related backgrounds from 18 countries participated from December 2017 – December 2018. The descriptive survey via email to identify the status of nurses in advanced roles and a working definition was developed. This formed the basis for the Delphi survey, which identified key barriers and challenges for enhancing the development of nurses in advanced roles within the country (round 1) and for the region (rounds 2 and 3). Lastly, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to identify strategies for establishing nurses in advanced roles to improve equitable access to healthcare. Results: Thirty-seven roles and characteristics were identified and categorized for nurses performing advanced roles. Emergency care, critical care, elderly health, child health, and rural/remote communities were identified as fields with particular need for nurses in advanced roles in the Western Pacific region. Providing effective services, influencing government leadership, and advocating for health system sustainability were deemed necessary to improve equitable healthcare access. We found that nurses in advanced roles are not limited to clinical tasks within the hospital but are poised for active participation in primary healthcare, education/teaching, professional leadership, quality management, and research. Conclusions: Demand for nurses in advanced roles is high in the Western Pacific region and 15 items were identified across five core strategic areas to enhance development of nurses in advanced roles. Governmental-level recommendations include establishing legislative protection, improving systems for remuneration, strengthening supportive channels, and conducting national needs assessments.
KW - Advanced practice nursing
KW - Health equity
KW - Health services accessibility
KW - Nurse²s role
KW - Professional role
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101458604&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12960-021-00555-6
DO - 10.1186/s12960-021-00555-6
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 33588873
AN - SCOPUS:85101458604
SN - 1478-4491
VL - 19
JO - Human Resources for Health
JF - Human Resources for Health
IS - 1
M1 - 19
ER -
