How has the profile of Australian nurse practitioners changed over time?

AIM: To examine longitudinal changes in the profile of Australian nurse practitioners surveyed in both 2007 and 2009 ('resurveyed respondents') and to determine differences between nurse practitioners who completed the census only in 2009 ('new respondents') and resurveyed respondents. BACKGROUND: The nurse practitioner role is integral to the development and sustainability of advanced practice roles in healthcare systems. However, its success depends upon support from policy makers, health services and nursing. A census of Australian nurse practitioners previously was conducted in 2007 to obtain national data on the role and scope of practice of nurse practitioners in Australia. DESIGN: A quantitative self-administered survey. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all authorised Australian nurse practitioners in 2009. RESULTS/FINDINGS: A total of 408 surveys were administered with 293 questionnaires completed (response rate 76.3%). Of these, 49% of participants also had completed the 2007 survey. There were no differences in the limitations and enablers identified in 2007 compared to 2009, indicating that perceived barriers had not been addressed over time, nor had there been substantial improvements. New respondents were more likely to have worked as a nurse practitioner in the previous week (p < 0.004). There was a significant increase in the number of nurse practitioners waiting on approval for some or all clinical protocols (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Conditions enabling work to full scope of practice continue to be perceived as suboptimal by Australian nurse practitioners. Supportive strategies are needed to enable the role to be effectively utilised.

Clinical guidelines for acute stroke management: which recommendations should remain consensus-based?

Although guideline recommendations should be based on the highest levels of evidence available, it may be appropriate for some recommendations to remain consensus-based. This study investigated stroke clinicians' and academics' opinions about which consensus-based recommendations from the Australian National Stroke Foundation Clinical Guidelines for Acute Stroke Management (2007) should remain as such, using a self-administered questionnaire. In the study, 43 people participated (62% response rate). Of the 50 recommendations presented, at least half the participants believed that 35 (70%) of these should remain consensus-based. In an adjusted multivariable analysis, recommendations perceived to be "highly likely" or "likely" to have an impact on patient outcomes were less likely to be perceived by respondents as appropriate to remain consensus-based (OR = 0.16 [95% CI 0.13-0.19], P < .001). Further, although females were less likely to state that recommendations should remain consensus-based (OR = 0.26 for female gender, [95% CI 0.08-0.88], P = .031), those with higher level of educational qualifications (OR = 1.45 per an incremental unit increase in education level [95% CI 1.04-2.03], P = .028) and those from nursing and medicine disciplines in comparison with allied health (OR = 25.2 for medical, nursing, and "other" disciplines in comparison with allied health [95% CI 1.54-413.1], P = .024) were more likely to state that a recommendations should remain consensus-based. The results indicated there was agreement that it may be appropriate that a proportion of recommendations in clinical guidelines remain consensus-based. Assessing the views of what areas require more robust research evidence according to academic and clinical experts may allow for prioritization and optimal allocation of scarce research resources.

Continence management in acute stroke: a survey of current practices in Australia.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine current national urinary incontinence management practices in Australian acute stroke units and their concordance with the National Stroke Foundation guidelines. BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence is a common consequence after stroke and a statistically significant indicator of poor outcome, including disability and admission to institutional care. The National Stroke Foundation has produced guidelines for the acute and post-acute phase of care, offering Australian nurses evidence-based recommendations regarding stroke management including the management of urinary incontinence. METHOD: In 2007-2008, dedicated acute stroke units in Australia were identified and a senior nurse from each unit was invited to participate in a 10-minute telephone survey to ascertain their current urinary continence management practices. RESULTS: Representatives from 41 acute stroke units participated in the survey (response rate 98%). Participants from less than half of the units reported that they had a formal plan for urinary incontinence management (n=19, 46%), and the majority of those who did not would find a formal plan useful (n=15, 79%). Two-thirds of respondents stated that they would manage urinary incontinence with indwelling catheterization (n=25, 61%). Only 30% (n=12) were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with urinary continence management in their acute stroke unit. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of acute stroke units were yet to establish formal urinary incontinence management plans. The implementation of evidence-based urinary incontinence management plans after stroke is integral to improving patient outcomes. An increase in resources for professional development in the assessment, treatment and management of urinary incontinence is essential to improve and maintain skills in after-stroke care.

Clients' understanding of the role of nurse practitioners.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) have an emerging role in the Australian health care system. However, there remains a dearth of data about public understanding of the NP role. The aim of this study was to evaluate clients' understanding of the role of the NP and their satisfaction with education received, quality of care and NP knowledge and skill. All authorised NPs working in a designated NP position in Western Australia and those working in three area health services in New South Wales were invited to recruit five consecutive clients to complete the self-administered survey. Thirty-two NPs (NP response rate 93%) recruited 129 clients (client response rate 90%). Two-thirds of clients (63%) were aware they were consulting an NP. The majority rated the following NP-related outcomes as 'excellent' or 'very good': education provided (89%); quality of care (95%); and knowledge and skill (93%). Less than half reported an understanding that NPs could prescribe medications (40.5%) or interpret X-rays (33.6%). Clients of NPs practising in a rural or remote setting were more likely than those in an urban setting to have previously consulted an NP (P = 0.005), and where applicable would to prefer to see an NP rather than a doctor (P = 0.022). Successful implementation and expansion of the NP role requires NP visibility in the community. Despite high levels of satisfaction, more awareness of the scope of the NP role is required.