Addressing Nurse Practitioner Telehealth Competency Gaps: A National Simulation Intervention

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Telehealth Competency
• Advanced Practice Nursing

Background:

• Many nurse practitioners (NPs) lack formal training in telehealth due to its recent mainstream adoption.
• Gaps exist in understanding jurisdictional requirements, virtual examination, and regulatory compliance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address critical telehealth competency gaps among practicing NPs.
• Focused on originating/distant site distinctions, virtual physical exams, documentation, controlled substance prescribing, and audio-only limitations.

Main Methods:

• A free, nationally marketed webinar utilized simulation-based methodology with faculty demonstrations.
• Cross-state telehealth encounters were presented, followed by structured debriefing on regulations and clinical decision-making.
• Participant evaluations were collected post-webinar.

Main Results:

• 80.3% of attendees completed evaluations, with 92.3% meeting learning objectives.
• 89.9% found the content immediately applicable to their practice.
• Thematic analysis indicated increased confidence in virtual assessments and better comprehension of jurisdictional rules.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-based webinars offer a scalable solution for NP competency development in telehealth.
• This model has significant implications for continuing nursing education and practice.
• Enhanced NP telehealth skills can improve the quality and accessibility of virtual patient care.