In the movement to support optimal patient health outcomes, there has been a monumental world-wide shift toward engaging and empowering people to be active partners in a holistic shared decision-making process and increasing self-management of their chronic diseases (World Health Organization, ND; United Nations, 2015). To address the primary healthcare needs of the United States, the Affordable Care Act legislation (Carthon, 2015; Healthy People 2020; Lathrop, B., & Hodnicki, D., 2014) and Institute of Medicine report (2011) have recognized the advanced practice nurse (APRN) as a licensed independent healthcare provider who can support the nation’s primary and preventive healthcare needs. Care-coordination within and across the healthcare team is critical to a people-centered care framework (QSEN Institute, 2019). There is limited information about how the APRN engages people in shared decision-making regarding the key determinants of a patient’s healthcare maintenance, including patient lifestyle behaviors, adherence to treatment protocols, and self-management of chronic health conditions (Healthy People, 2015; Schottenfeld, Petersen, Peikes, Ricciardi, Burak, McNellis, & Genevro, 2016). The purpose of this study is to explore APRNs' perceptions of patient engagement by focusing on their perspectives about patients as partners and utilizing a shared decision-making process.
Methods:
This quantitative descriptive replication study will seek to examine the professional perceptions of APRNs. A convenience sample of APRNs will be solicited from the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association. Participants will be asked to complete a 25-item online survey entitled, “CS-PAM Clinician Support for Patient Activation Survey ™.” Item responses are based on a five-point Likert scale with the defined declarative descriptor for each range. Responses will be analyzed using non-parametric and descriptive statistics.
Results: in progress
Conclusion:
Previous studies utilizing the CS-PAM found shared decision making between healthcare providers and patients yielded improved patient outcomes however, only a small representation of APRNs were included (Alexander, Hearld, Mittler, & Harvey, 2012; Greene & Hibbard, 2012; Greene, Hibbard, Alverez, & Overton, 2016; Hibbard, Collins, Mahoney, & Baker, 2009; Stolikova-Hartman, Janssen, Franssen, Spruit, & Wouters, 2015). This will be the first time that the CS-PAM is used to survey APRNs exclusively. As the APRNs adapt to the worldwide shift in healthcare, it is expected that their attitudes and perception of engaging patients with chronic diseases in self-management will contribute to patient outcomes. Results may increase our understanding of APRNs perceptions of patient engagement, determine the level of patient engagement perceived by APRNs, highlight strengths, as well as, identify gaps for service learning and academic curricular improvement.
Key Words: People-centered care, clinician support patient activation ™, advanced practice nurse