Collaborative practice in advanced practice nursing in acute care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Delivery
• Nursing Practice
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) are integral to US healthcare.
• APN roles involve collaboration with various disciplines like medicine, pharmacy, and therapy services.
• Existing collaborative models are essential for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the significance of collaborative care models involving APNs in the US.
• To highlight the unique APN-physician relationship in patient and family care.
• To discuss the future of APN-physician collaboration in acute care settings.

Main Methods:

• Review of current collaborative care practices involving APNs.
• Analysis of interprofessional relationships within healthcare teams.
• Examination of healthcare system changes impacting APN roles.

Main Results:

• APN collaboration extends across medicine, pharmacy, social services, and multiple therapy disciplines.
• The APN-physician dyad is a critical component of effective patient and family care.
• Collaborative models are crucial for meeting patient healthcare needs in dynamic acute care environments.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative care is a fundamental aspect of the APN role in the United States.
• The APN-physician partnership is vital for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
• Expanding collaborative models will be essential for addressing future healthcare demands.