Implementing primary healthcare nurse practitioners in long-term care teams: A qualitative descriptive study

To identify the conditions needed to implement nurse practitioners (NP) in long-term care (LTC) in Québec, Canada.

A qualitative descriptive study was undertaken.

Semi-structured interviews (N = 91) and socio-demographic questionnaires were completed with providers and managers from May 2016-March 2017. Nurse practitioner activity logs were compiled at three sites. Content analysis was used.

All sites initially implemented a shared care model but not all sites successfully implemented a consultative model. The progression was influenced by physicians' level of comfort in moving towards a consultative model. Weekly meetings with physicians and nurse managers and an office for NPs located near healthcare teams facilitated communication and improved implementation. Half-time NP positions facilitated recruitment. Improvements were noted in timely care for residents, family involvement and quality of documentation of the healthcare team. Regulatory restrictions on prescribing medications used frequently in LTC and daily physician presence at some sites limited implementation.

The project fostered an understanding of the conditions needed to successfully implement NPs in LTC. An examination of the perspective of residents and families is needed.