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The Patient's Voice in Advanced Practice Nursing: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Lived Experiences
Qin Hu1,2,3, Wei Tan2, Shanshan Liu2,3
1Department of Operating Room, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Aims:
This review aims to synthesize qualitative evidence on patients' lived experiences of advanced practice nursing.
Design:
Qualitative systematic review.
Data Sources:
The studies included in this review were sourced from PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL. Studies were limited to those published from database inception to March 5, 2026.
Review Methods:
The review adhered to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles to assess eligibility for inclusion. Data were extracted and analyzed using thematic synthesis. Confidence in findings was assessed using the CERQual approach.
Results:
Thirty-seven studies were included. Five themes emerged from patients' accounts: (1) feeling seen and heard through therapeutic presence; (2) understanding illness through explanation and dialogue; (3) building trust through competence and respect; (4) gaining confidence and agency in self-management; and (5) experiencing coherent and coordinated care across services.
Conclusions:
Patients experienced advanced practice nursing as a relational, educational, and coordinating form of care. APNs were valued not only for their advanced clinical expertise but also for the way they listened, explained, built trust, supported patient agency, and helped patients navigate fragmented healthcare systems. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of APN care is closely linked to relational continuity, individualized communication, and system-level coordination.
Clinical Relevance:
Understanding patients' lived experiences of advanced practice nursing can help nurses and healthcare organizations strengthen patient-centred care. The findings highlight the importance of protecting time for listening, supporting clear and individualized communication, building trustful partnerships, encouraging patient participation, and recognizing APNs' role in coordinating care across complex healthcare systems.
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