| Learning Objective #1: Identify the factors which influence parental intent to access the care services of a pediatric nurse practitioner in the emergency setting | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify the care duties that parents would be comfortable with a pediatric nurse practitioner providing for their children |
The factors which influence parents' intention to use the services of a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) in emergency departments have rarely been explored. In order for PNPs to meet parental needs, an understanding of these factors would be significant prior to the implementation of such services. To determine parental support for the PNP role and to generate knowledge about factors related to parental intent to use these services, a study that used quantitative survey and qualitative interview methods was conducted. A convenience sample of 100 parents seeking care for their children with a non-urgent condition in a pediatric emergency department in Canada participated in the survey component of the study. Telephone interviews were conducted with 18 randomly selected parents in order to explore in-depth the issues that influence parental decision-making with respect to accessing PNP services for their child’s care. Logistic regression of the survey data revealed that the compatibility of PNP services with parents’ beliefs and needs was the most statistically significant (p<0.05) independent variable in predicting parental intent to use PNP services. Demographic variables were not significant. Qualitative interviews revealed that all parents were comfortable with a PNP managing all or some of their child’s care. A PNP working in collaboration with a physician was identified as an important influence on parental intent to use PNP services. The research concludes that parents support PNP services for non-urgent emergency care for children. The information obtained from this study may be useful in the development of the PNP role in the emergency room and in disseminating information about the role to families of children who access care in the Emergency Department.
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