What does the nurse practitioner mean to you? A patient-oriented qualitative study in oncological/palliative care.
Loes van Dusseldorp, Marieke Groot, Marian Adriaansen and 3 others
PMID 30129072WHAT IT FOUND
Patients in cancer or palliative care valued the nurse practitioner as empathic, reliable and expert.
In 17 patient interviews, they described feeling safe, empowered and more in control when the nurse practitioner provided continuity, personal attention, symptom monitoring, medication advice and care coordination.
Key findings
01Patients valued the nurse practitioner as empathic, helpful and reliable, and personal attention and time for consultation made them feel welcome and trusted.
02Participants described the nurse practitioner as a coach, expert, supporter and advocate who monitored blood values and physical checks.
03Patients valued easy accessibility and coordination of care, and described empowerment, peace, calmness, control and personal attention as part of their experience with the nurse practitioner.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 17 patients were interviewed, all receiving oncological or palliative care supervised by a nurse practitioner in three Dutch hospitals. Patients were invited by their own nurse practitioners and had to be able to reflect on their experiences, so more motivated or appreciative patients may be overrepresented. The study reports patient meanings and experiences, not measured effects, and cannot show that nurse practitioner care improves outcomes or works better than care from medical specialists. Patients also received care from medical specialists and cancer treatment, so the contribution of the nurse practitioner alone cannot be separated. The role of Dutch nurse practitioners may not generalise to other countries, settings or patient groups.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that nurse practitioner care improves outcomes or outperforms medical specialists. Patients also received care from medical specialists and cancer treatment, so the contribution of the nurse practitioner alone cannot be separated.