Advanced nurse practitioner experiences of referrals.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Primary Health Care
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Primary care services in Scotland are increasingly utilizing advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs).
• ANPs are taking on roles traditionally held by general practitioners (GPs).
• This shift necessitates understanding the experiences of ANPs in making independent referrals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of ANPs in primary care settings.
• To investigate the process of making independent referrals after advanced clinical assessment.
• To identify challenges and facilitators related to ANP independent referral.

Main Methods:

• A focus group interview was conducted with five ANPs.
• Participants were from a single health board area in Scotland.
• Data were collected in April 2023 and themed into principal areas.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified were role preparation, communication, and gatekeeping.
• These areas contributed to negative feelings and emotions for ANPs.
• ANPs reported challenges in role clarity and interprofessional collaboration.

Conclusions:

• ANPs require adequate preparation for independent referral roles.
• Independent access to referral pathways and clear communication are essential.
• Colleague understanding of ANP autonomy and regular clinical supervision are recommended.