[Advanced practice nurses in geriatric traumatology : A scoping review]

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Trauma Surgery
• Nursing Science

Context:

• Older adults face higher risks of traumatic injuries and complex comorbidities.
• Standardized hospital care can exacerbate geriatric complications like delirium.
• Advanced practice nurses (APN) are recognized internationally for managing these challenges, but their development in Germany lags.

Purpose:

• To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on APN roles in geriatrics and traumatology.
• To identify scientifically proven tasks and role profiles for APNs in geriatric traumatology.
• To highlight the need for further research in this specialized area.

Summary:

• A systematic literature search (2010-2022) revealed existing APN roles in geriatrics and traumatology separately.
• No scientifically validated tasks or role profiles for APNs specifically in geriatric traumatology were found.
• Transferability of roles from geriatrics and traumatology may be possible, but requires further investigation.

Impact:

• Identifies a research gap in defining APN roles for geriatric trauma patients.
• Suggests the need for developing specific APN competencies to address unique patient needs.
• Informs future research and policy development for advanced nursing practice in geriatric trauma care.