Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Practice Characteristics: Barriers and Opportunities for Interprofessional Teamwork

J Ambul Care Manage. 2017 Jan/Mar;40(1):77-86. doi: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000156.

Abstract

Developing team-based care models and expanding nurse practitioner (NP) workforce in primary care are recommended by policy makers to meet demand. Little is known how to promote interprofessional teamwork. Using a mixed-methods design, we analyzed qualitative interview and quantitative survey data from primary care NPs to explore practice characteristics important for teamwork. The Interprofessional Teamwork for Health and Social Care Framework guided the study. We identified NP-physician and NP-administration relationships; organizational support and governance; time and space for teamwork; and regulations and economic impact as important. Practice and policy change addressing these factors is needed for effective interprofessional teamwork.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurse Practitioners / organization & administration
  • Nurse Practitioners / standards*
  • Nurse Practitioners / statistics & numerical data
  • Nurse's Role
  • Organizational Culture
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
  • Patient Care Team / standards
  • Practice Patterns, Nurses' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Primary Care Nursing / methods
  • Primary Care Nursing / standards*
  • Primary Care Nursing / statistics & numerical data
  • Qualitative Research