How Well Are Nurse Practitioners Prepared to Treat Common Musculoskeletal Conditions?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Primary Care
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent, affecting one-third of the U.S. population and posing significant healthcare costs.
• Essential musculoskeletal knowledge is crucial for primary care providers, including nurse practitioners (NPs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify musculoskeletal education within nurse practitioner (NP) programs.
• To assess NP confidence in musculoskeletal care compared to other primary care areas.
• To evaluate NP proficiency in basic musculoskeletal knowledge.

Main Methods:

• An online, self-reporting survey was utilized.
• The survey assessed NP knowledge, competence, and confidence in managing musculoskeletal disorders.

Main Results:

• The majority of NPs receive under 10 hours of musculoskeletal education.
• NPs report lower confidence in musculoskeletal care versus other primary care domains.
• NPs demonstrate deficiencies in fundamental musculoskeletal knowledge for primary care management.

Conclusions:

• Nurse practitioners, similar to physicians, often lack sufficient preparation for managing common, nonsurgical musculoskeletal issues.
• Findings highlight a need for enhanced musculoskeletal training in NP curricula.
• Improved education is critical for effective primary care of musculoskeletal conditions.