A scoping review of empirical evidence on the nurse practitioner workforce in Thailand

This scoping review aimed to synthesize research findings on the state of the development of the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce and its contribution to care outcomes in Thailand.

Policies assuring universal access to healthcare in Thailand have increased the demand for primary care. The Thai NP workforce is helping to meet this demand, and this workforce is growing. However, a comprehensive assessment of the existing evidence on NPs has yet to be conducted.

A comprehensive search of five electronic databases, including PubMed, Embrace, Clarivate, ProQuest, and ThaiJo (a Thai database), was conducted. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed research papers focused on NPs practicing in primary care in Thailand and published in English or Thai between 2002 and 2022. Studies with data not attributable to NPs in Thailand were excluded.

The search yielded 118 records, with 42 meeting the inclusion criteria. Most research studies were cross-sectional and grouped into five categories focusing on NP education, patient outcomes associated with NP care, NP performance, NP competency, and NP well-being.

Findings suggest that the NP workforce in Thailand contributes positively to patient outcomes. Future research should further explore NP contributions to patient and organizational outcomes and factors impacting NP well-being.

Findings suggest policymakers should establish a master's degree as the minimum requirement for NPs, aligning with international standards. Healthcare organizations should improve the work environments for NPs, while health policies should expand NPs' role in primary care, particularly in underserved areas. Expanding the scope of practice for NPs in managing chronic conditions independently is recommended.