Investigating nurse practitioners in the private sector: a theoretically informed research protocol

Area of Science:

• Healthcare research methodology
• Primary health care delivery
• Nurse practitioner models

Background:

• Limited research exists on private sector nurse practitioner (NP) services compared to established public sector models.
• Emerging NP models in the private sector lack clear governance and sustainability structures.
• Healthcare reform necessitates understanding new NP operational frameworks beyond traditional public health settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a study protocol for investigating private sector nurse practitioner services.
• To detail the application of Normalisation Process Theory as a framework for this research.
• To provide a blueprint for future research on emerging NP models.

Main Methods:

• A multiple exploratory case study design will be employed.
• Data collection will involve interviews, surveys, and audits.
• A sequential mixed-methods approach with within-case analysis and cross-case meta-synthesis will be used, guided by Normalisation Process Theory.

Main Results:

• This article presents the research protocol and theoretical framework.
• It highlights the flexibility of Normalisation Process Theory for data analysis.
• The protocol serves as a guide for researcher fidelity and collaboration.

Conclusions:

• This study protocol offers a structured approach to researching private sector NP services.
• It emphasizes the utility of Normalisation Process Theory in analyzing complex healthcare models.
• Disseminating the protocol informs the primary health care research community about emerging NP practice.