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Advanced clinical practitioners in primary care in the UK: A qualitative study of workforce transformation

Evans, Catrin; Pearce, Ruth; Greaves, Sarah; Blake, Holly

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Authors

Dr CATRIN EVANS CATRIN.EVANS@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Evidence Based Healthcare

Ruth Pearce

Sarah Greaves

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HOLLY BLAKE holly.blake@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Behavioural Medicine



Abstract

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Escalating costs and changing population demographics are putting pressure on primary care systems to meet ever more complex healthcare needs. Non-medical ‘advanced clinical practitioner’ (ACP) roles are increasingly being introduced to support service transformation. This paper reports the findings of a qualitative evaluation of nursing ACP roles across General Practices in one region of the UK. Data collection involved telephone interviews with 26 participants from 3 different stakeholder groups based in 9 practice sites: ACPs (n = 9), general practitioners (n = 8) and practice managers (n = 9). The data was analysed thematically. The study found a high degree of acceptance of the ACP role and affirmation of the important contribution of ACPs to patient care. However, significant variations in ACP education, skills and experience led to a bespoke approach to their deployment, impeding system-wide innovation and creating challenges for recruitment and ongoing professional development. In addition, a context of high workforce pressures and high service demand were causing stress and there was a need for greater mentorship and workplace support. System wide changes to ACP education and support are required to enable ACPs to realise their full potential in primary care in the UK.

Citation

Evans, C., Pearce, R., Greaves, S., & Blake, H. (2020). Advanced clinical practitioners in primary care in the UK: A qualitative study of workforce transformation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124500

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 20, 2020
Online Publication Date Jun 23, 2020
Publication Date Jun 30, 2020
Deposit Date Jun 23, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Electronic ISSN 1660-4601
Publisher MDPI
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 17
Issue 12
Article Number 4500
Pages 1-19
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124500
Keywords Workforce, Advanced Clinical Practice; Primary Care; Workplace Wellness; General
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4702914
Publisher URL https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4500

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