Unseen, unheard, undervalued: advancing research on registered nurses in primary care. (2nd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lukewich, Julia; Poitras, Marie-Eve; Mathews, Maria
• Is Part Of: Practice nursing. Volume 32:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 158
• Page End: 162
• Publication Date: 2021-04-02
• Subjects: Primary health care -- Primary care nursing -- Evidence-based nursing -- Interdisciplinary research; Nursing -- Practice -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 610.730941
• DOI: 10.12968/pnur.2021.32.4.158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-9271

Abstract

Abstract : Julia Lukewich, Marie-Eve Poitras and Maria Mathews describe the current state of family practice nursing in Canada and explore the reasons for the lack of research on this topic Funding model reforms have led to an increase in the number of nurses in primary care in Canada. Family practice nurses work alongside physicians and other healthcare providers, and are key members of primary care teams. Despite this, there remains a lack of clarity regarding the contributions of this unique role, as well as the absence of coordinated leadership and efforts to advance knowledge in this area. We describe the current state of family practice nursing in Canada and discuss challenges to generating evidence on roles, activities, and outcomes. We also provide recommendations to facilitate the advancement of nursing research that addresses primary care provision. Challenges include the absence of standardised terms for this role, a lack of distinction surrounding different regulated nursing designations in primary care, and the need for greater visibility. High-quality research will strengthen the evidentiary base from which to educate providers, inform administrators/policy-makers, and improve primary care outcomes.