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ABSTRACT
Objective
To determine the level of satisfaction with care and acceptance of the role of Nurse Practitioner in New Zealand.
Design
A descriptive correlational study was conducted using a 15 item satisfaction survey distributed to participants by the clinic receptionist after a clinic visit to the NP. Demographic data, reason for visit and waiting times were also collected.
Setting
Two clinical sites in the same medium sized city were used for data collection. The first site was a university campus health clinic and the second a primary health care clinic in an industrial area.
Subjects
Convenience sample of the first 100 patients to complete and return the self-administered survey from each practice site were to be included in the study. In fact 193 useable surveys were included.
Outcome measures
Patient satisfaction and acceptance was measured using modified 15 item version of the Thrasher and Purc-Stephenson (2008) satisfaction survey.
Results
Patients were satisfied with the care they received and had accepted the role. Mean satisfaction score was 15.59; SD 4.71, range 12âeuro?25. The lower the score the more satisfied the patient. Satisfaction was significantly correlated by only two variables, age (r=.221, p=.003) and role clarity (r=.355, p=.000).
Conclusions
While this study contained limitations, the overall positive findings are similar to previous study findings on patient satisfaction with Nurse Practitioners care. The instrument, methodology, and findings of this study can be used as initial data on the evaluation and continued monitoring of the role in New Zealand
KEY WORDS
Nurse Practitioners, primary care, patient satisfaction
INTRODUCTION
New Zealand like many western countries is currently experiencing a critical health care workforce shortage. Over ten years ago the role of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) was identified and supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Health (Ministerial Taskforce on Nursing 1998) as one approach to relieving this shortage and providing a career ladder to expert clinical nurses. Seven years ago the Nursing Council of New Zealand began to register individuals as Nurse Practitioners (NP). Today there are approximately 70 recognised NPs in New Zealand, a country of over four million people (NPNZ listserve April 2010). To date little research has been published in New Zealand on the outcomes these providers are achieving. However data have been presented at...