Nurse-Performed Endoscopy: Implications for the Nursing Profession in Australia

Area of Science:

• Healthcare policy
• Nursing practice
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Global healthcare systems face increasing demands, prompting exploration of expanded nursing roles.
• Nurse endoscopists have been introduced in several countries to manage the workload of endoscopic procedures.
• Australia implemented pilot programs for nurse endoscopists in Queensland (nurse practitioner model) and Victoria (advanced practice model) due to staff shortages and high demand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the implementation of nurse-performed endoscopy in Australia.
• To explore the responses from nursing, medical, and policy stakeholders.
• To examine the potential of nurse endoscopists to improve access to cancer screening.

Main Methods:

• Review of pilot program implementation in Queensland and Victoria.
• Analysis of stakeholder responses (nursing, medical, policy).
• Discussion of health policy implications, including credentialing and payment models.

Main Results:

• The implementation of nurse endoscopists is a response to healthcare demands and staff shortages.
• Advanced training for nurses in endoscopy can potentially improve access to cancer screening.
• Consideration of nurse credentialing and payment models is crucial for successful integration.

Conclusions:

• Nurse-performed endoscopy shows promise in enhancing healthcare capacity and improving access to essential procedures.
• Successful integration requires careful consideration of policy, training, credentialing, and payment structures.
• This model offers a potential solution to healthcare workforce challenges in Australia and globally.