Integrated older people care and advanced practice nursing: an evidence-based review

To critically appraise and synthesize evidence of integrated care stemming from advanced practice nursing in elderly primary care settings throughout the United States and Thailand.

Advanced practice nurses are key to accelerating integrated elderly care in the community. Yet, their scope and capacity vary greatly across countries, making impact measurement highly challenging.

A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and ThaiJo databases was performed. Full-text articles in English or Thai language were reviewed using an inductive thematic approach from the integrated people-centred Health Services framework, adopted by the World Health Organization.

A total of 42 articles were appraised according to framework strategies: (1) people and community empowerment/engagement; (2) governance and accountability strengthening; (3) model of care reorientation; (4) service coordination; and (5) enabling environment creation. Collaborative roles and empowerment of older people were associated with higher quality of care. Thai nurses empowered individuals through community networks and resources, incorporating care models (strategy 1). In contrast, US nurses adopted a quality improvement and safety approach, incorporating technology into nursing interventions (strategy 5).

Advanced practice nurses employ an array of strategies and approaches in caring for older people. Although their role varies from mostly substitute (US) to supplemental (Thailand), nurses in both countries contribute towards integrated person-centred care.

Preparing advanced practice nurses to work in the community is a prerequisite for meeting ageing population health needs in a sustainable manner. Education, professional development and leadership training opportunities should focus on capacity building in: a) strengthening mutual accountability, b) reorienting the work environment through innovative care models and c) coordinating services through partnerships to achieve universal health and ensure healthy ageing.