Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Using Simulation Models to Train Clinicians in the Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Published on: August 9, 2024
Clinical scope and workforce contribution of advanced nurse practitioners in general practice: a cross-sectional
Catriona Keye1, Pamela McCann2, Orla Loftus Moran3
1Ph.D. Candidate, RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dublin, Ireland.
Aim:
To examine the clinical activity and workforce contribution of Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) working in general practice.
Background:
Primary care systems internationally are experiencing increasing demand due to ageing populations, rising multimorbidity and workforce shortages. Advanced nursing practice has expanded globally as a strategy to strengthen service capacity, improve access and maintain quality outcomes. Although there is substantial evidence regarding patient outcomes associated with advanced practice roles, there is comparatively limited empirical data describing the day-to-day clinical activity of ANPs in primary care settings.
Methods:
This national cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted in Ireland and reported in accordance with the STROBE Statement, involved a 1-week activity capture of General Practice Advanced Nurse Practitioners (GP ANPs) and candidate ANPs (cANPs) working across general practice settings. Data collected included consultation type, prescribing activity, complexity of care and clinical outcomes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results:
Twenty GP ANPs/candidate ANPs recorded 1659 consultations, including 757 full episodes of care (45.6%). Practice spanned acute illness (adults and children), chronic disease management, women's health and preventive services. Medication optimisation activity included 503 medication reviews, 251 prescriptions issued and 59 medications deprescribed. About 15% of consultations were classified as complex and 14.8% involved multiple presenting complaints. Most consultations were independently managed.
Conclusion:
GP ANPs demonstrate broad clinical capability and contribute substantially to general practice capacity. The findings highlight the value of a holistic nursing approach, which is well suited to chronic disease management, health promotion, patient education and the management of multimorbidity, supporting access to care and strengthening primary care workforce capacity.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:28Current Trends in Nursing I
01:22The Professional Nurse
Communication skills: These are critical characteristics, especially speaking and listening.
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:30Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
Theories provide a perspective to assess patients' conditions and organize data and methods. They also assist in analyzing and interpreting information. They represent a...