Emergency physicians' attitudes toward the emergency nurse practitioner role: validation versus rejection

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Nursing
• Healthcare Collaboration

Background:

• Collaborative practice models are increasingly explored in emergency medicine.
• Understanding physician attitudes is crucial for successful integration of advanced practice nurses.
• Emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) represent a growing segment of the healthcare workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore emergency physicians' attitudes toward collaborative practice with emergency nurse practitioners.
• To identify factors influencing physician acceptance of the ENP role.
• To develop a theoretical model of physician perspectives on collaboration.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative grounded theory approach was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five emergency physicians.
• Physician responses regarding collaborative practice were systematically coded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• A substantive theory of dependent collaboration emerged from the data.
• Physicians supported the ENP role contingent upon traditional physician supervision.
• Identified concerns included physician trust, liability, and perceived capability of ENPs.
• Physicians expressed deficits in knowledge regarding ENP training and scope of practice.

Conclusions:

• Physician acceptance of ENPs is linked to maintaining traditional supervisory structures.
• Addressing physician concerns regarding trust, liability, and capability is essential.
• Educational initiatives are needed to bridge knowledge gaps about ENP roles and training.
• Facilitating collaborative practice requires a deeper understanding of physician perspectives and potential barriers.