Perceptions and Expectations of Advanced Geriatric Nursing Role Development in Primary Health Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Staff’s Perspectives

Abstract

Purpose This qualitative study aimed to explore multidisciplinary members’ perceptions and expectations of advanced geriatric nursing role development in primary health care. Patients and Methods A multi-center, cross-sectional study based on semi-structured individual interviews was conducted with registered nurses, general physicians, and managers involved in the care of older people in primary health care between September 2020 and January 2021. Recruitment was purposive and the framework method was used to inductively analyze the data. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative research (COREQ) served to structure our manuscript. Results In total, 29 registered nurses, 6 general physicians, and 10 managers from 8 health centers were interviewed. The relevant themes interpreted from the interview data were as follows: (1) the current roles of registered nurses in the care of older people; (2) the factors affect the advanced geriatric nursing role development; (3) expectations of the advanced geriatric nursing roles. Conclusion There is a need for appropriate educational programs, well-established laws, and regulations to support the sustainable development of advanced geriatric nursing roles. To build the expected role model, the nursing education program in the future should integrate gerontological nursing, public health nursing, and nursing management to maximize the role of gerontological nurse practitioners in primary health care.

Geriatric Nursing: Relationship Among Death Attitude, Meaning in Life, and Career Choice Motivation

“…Moreover, contemporary nursing education, which focuses greater attention on emergency and critical care skills, makes it difficult for students to correctly perceive the value of elderly care as a career path (Fetherstonhaugh et al, 2022; Garbrah et al, 2017). As most GNs have a relatively low level of education, their opportunities for better jobs and career growth are more limited than better-educated peers in other nursing specialties (Li et al, 2021).…”

Práticas Avançadas de Enfermagem na Atenção Primária à Saúde: Um Protocolo de Revisão Sistemática

“…Thus, many countries have taken measures to integrate Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) as an alternative to address priorities within this complex care domain. The implementation of APNs has emerged as a new paradigm for coordinating integrated care for patients with complex needs in primary health care (7) , which is justified by the greater autonomy of these nurses at this level of care (8) . The APN is a duly registered professional with specialized knowledge, advanced decisionmaking skills, and expanded clinical competencies, whose profile is shaped by the context in which they work (9) .…”