Enhancing advanced clinical practitioners' non-clinical skills

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Professional Development
• Advanced Clinical Practice
• Leadership and Management in Healthcare

Background:

• Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) often lack structured support for developing non-clinical competencies.
• National frameworks exist, but practical application and support for leadership, education, and research skills in ACPs remain a challenge.
• The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust identified a need to bolster these specific skill sets within their ACP workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a dedicated study day designed to enhance non-clinical competencies for ACPs.
• To foster a sense of community and provide targeted educational opportunities in leadership, education, and research.
• To assess the impact of the study day on participants' knowledge, confidence, and professional networking.

Main Methods:

• A study day was organized and delivered for advanced clinical practitioners.
• The curriculum focused on leadership, education, and research competencies.
• Participant feedback and self-reported changes in knowledge and confidence were collected.

Main Results:

• The study day received positive feedback from participants.
• Attendees reported improvements in their knowledge and confidence regarding non-clinical competencies.
• The event successfully fostered a sense of community and strengthened professional connections among ACPs.

Conclusions:

• Targeted educational initiatives like this study day are effective in enhancing non-clinical skills for ACPs.
• Ongoing support and community building are crucial for the comprehensive professional development of advanced clinical practitioners.
• The study highlights the value of practical, focused training to address identified gaps in ACP non-clinical skill development.