Advanced Nurse Practice: Family Practice Work
The role of Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) selected for analysis herein û a role reflecting future aspirations of the writer/researcher û is that of the consultant/manager who is also involved in clinical practice within the parameters of the family practice setting. Davidson (1999) commented that as health care reform moves into a new era, the importance of comprehensive case management and quality of outcomes management is of increasing importance. More and more APNs are working in the dual role of clinical care provider and consultant/manager to deliver a full range of services to patients (Davidson, 1999).
Family-centered nursing care is very much a "front line" practice setting in which the nurse directs efforts toward improving the potential health of a family or any of its members by assessing health needs and strengths, identifying problems influencing the health care of the family and its members, and using family and nursing/medical resources to assist patients in achieving and then maintaining optimum health and well-being (Family-centered nursing care, 1998). In this report, the role of the APN in clinical service and case management/consultation will be described. The historical antecedents of the APN role will be briefly assessed, along with research demonstrating the worthiness of the managerial and consultation role of the APN. The report will then describe the implementation of the role in a unique setting and conclude with an overview of the congruence of the role in the context of Advanced Practice Nursing itself.
Aspects of APN Case Management/Consultation in Family Practice
Davidson (1999) identified the following specific roles and goals of case management relevant to the function of APNs in family practice settings:
1. to allow for collaborative practice and planning among all health care professionals involved in a patient's case
2. to f...