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What does the nurse practitioner mean to you? A patient‐oriented qualitative study in oncological/palliative care
Author(s) -
Dusseldorp Loes,
Groot Marieke,
Adriaansen Marian,
Vught Anneke,
Vissers Kris,
Peters Jeroen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.14653
Subject(s) - technician , nursing , qualitative research , palliative care , medicine , coping (psychology) , health care , metaphor , meaning (existential) , psychology , family medicine , psychotherapist , psychiatry , social science , linguistics , philosophy , sociology , economic growth , electrical engineering , economics , engineering
Aims and objectives To explore what meaning patients associate with their experiences with a nurse practitioner ( NP ) in oncological or palliative care. Background Care provided by NP s results in high patient satisfaction, mostly related to the assurance of continuity of care, and to receiving information and advice on coping with the disease. Research shows that health care provided by NP s equals the quality of care provided by physicians. Patients may be even more satisfied with care provided by NP s. Because patients’ views have only been examined quantitatively, underlying experiences and meanings remain unclear. Design A qualitative study from a phenomenological perspective. Methods In 2017, seventeen outpatients aged 45–79 years, receiving oncological or palliative care, were interviewed in depth. Data were analysed by Colaizzi's seven‐step method and by the Metaphor Identification Procedure. Results Six fundamental themes emerged: the NP as a human (1) and as a professional (2), the NP providing care (3) and cure (4), NP s organising patient care (5) and the impact on patient's well‐being (6). MIP analysis revealed six metaphors: NP means trust; is a travel aid; is a combat unit; is a chain; is a signpost; and is a technician. Conclusions NP s mean a lot to patients. NP s are valued as reliable, helpful and empathic. Patients feel empowered, at peace and in control as a result of the support, guidance and attention to them as a person as well as to aspects of the disease. Providing expert, integrated care makes patients feel safe and embraced in the NP 's expertise. Relevance to clinical practice This qualitative insight into patients’ experiences will contribute to the body of knowledge on patients’ perceptions of the treatment and support provided by NP s. It adds to the further development of the NP s’ profession and education.