The Nurse Practitioner Role: A Qualitative Study Evaluation

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Table of Contents

Purpose
Design, Sampling Techniques, Data Collection
Data Analysis
Theoretical Framework
Literature Review
Trustworthiness
Study Findings and Implications
Importance of the Study and Its Relevance for Nurse Practitioners
Reference

Purpose

The article under consideration was written by Collins and Small (2019) and entitled “The nurse practitioner role is ideally suited for palliative care practice: A qualitative descriptive study.” The authors stressed that only a third of patients who die receive palliative care. The purpose of this article was to explore the ways in which nurse practitioners (not working in palliative care) are involved in the provision of palliative care services.

Design, Sampling Techniques, Data Collection

The researchers utilized the qualitative description methods to address the objectives of the study. The researchers sent emails to all eligible nurses in the area, and 11 people agreed to participate. Snowball sampling was also employed, which is common in qualitative studies. This tool enables researchers to collect data from knowledgeable people who are prepared to share their views on the matter, which is the primary goal of a qualitative study. Collins and Small (2019) described the sampling method and data collection in detail and justified their choice, which enhances the validity and reliability of the findings. Data collection was based on the use of semi-structured interviews. The researchers asked open-ended questions during face-to-face (17) and telephone (2) interviews, so the overall number of participants was 19. Out of these 19 people, 13 provided care to patients with life-threatening chronic conditions, and six nurses did not encounter such patients in their practice and were not involved in the provision of palliative care.

Data Analysis

The content analysis technique was used as the data analysis method. Collins and Small (2019) describe this process with all the necessary details, which is important for the study’s validation. Both researchers analyzed the collected data collaboratively, and the analysis process was conducted simultaneously with the data collection process, so the researchers adjusted subsequent interviews based on the themes raised during the interviews they held. Saturation was achieved at 19 participants, and no new themes emerged. The researchers coded and categorized the themes that were discussed during the interviews.

Theoretical Framework

The researchers did not describe the theoretical framework that guided their study, which can be seen as a weakness. Collins and Small (2019) mentioned nursing theories at large without specifying any particular model or paradigm and noted that mid-range theories helped nurses to provide comprehensive and high-quality care. The article could be improved by the identification of a particular model or approach that was used when conducting the research.

Literature Review

The authors implemented a thorough review of the literature before the implementation of the study, so it is possible to state that the review informed their research. Collins and Small (2019) mention that the review of the current studies on the matter helped them identify potential themes to be identified and develop appropriate questions for interviews. The sources used in the literature review are recent, while older sources (published in 2001 and 2006) are also used, which is beneficial for understanding the context.

Trustworthiness

Qualitative studies’ trustworthiness is evaluated in terms of credibility, transferability, confirmability, and dependability. The trustworthiness of the present study is high, which is achieved in part by the author’s detailed description of the methodology and results. The credibility of the study is high as the authors use accurate instruments of data collection and analysis validated in other studies and provide all the necessary details. Transferability is also high as the findings are consistent with the results of other studies, and the themes that emerged were common among nurses. Dependability can be rated high as well since the researchers describe the study with all the important details enabling other researchers to repeat the research easily. The confirmability is also sufficient as the researchers support all their assumptions and conclusions by the participants’ own words.

Study Findings and Implications

The major themes that emerged during the interviews included such facilitators of nurses’ involvement of nurses in the provision of palliative care as a broad scope of practice, nursing presence, and situated practice. Collins and Small (2019) also reported that nurses believed that their role as nurse practitioners was “ideally suited” for palliative care (p. 6). The impediments that make nurses’ involvement in palliative care challenging were limited knowledge regarding this kind of care and the lack of “emotional comfort with palliative care practice” (Collins & Small, 2019, p. 6). As to the implications of this study, the development of new and improvement of the existing educational programs (both formal and on-the-job training) can be based on the findings of this study.

Importance of the Study and Its Relevance for Nurse Practitioners

The study has high importance for nurse practitioners (not working at palliative care facilities) involved in palliative care practice. The identification of major obstacles to the provision of high-quality palliative care (especially the emotional component) can be instrumental in helping nurses receive proper training and overcome the difficulties. The demographic peculiarities of modern patients show that more palliative care services will be needed, and nurses in general practice are likely to encounter an increasing number of patients with life-threatening chronic conditions. Hence, these professionals should be prepared to address the needs of these patients.

Reference

Collins, C. M., & Small, S. P. (2019). The nurse practitioner role is ideally suited for palliative care practice: A qualitative descriptive study.Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 29(1), 4-9.

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