ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the outcome of nurse practitioner care.
Data sources: A descriptive survey design was conducted, with hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) used as an indicator of effectiveness of care. The two test groups included an attending physician-nurse practitioner group and an attending physician-resident physician group, which were compared in terms of effectiveness, using a 360[degrees] satisfaction-feedback survey provided to a peer group, as well as patients and their family members.
Conclusion: According to patients and their family members, as well as the peer group, nurse practitioners performed better in comparison to resident physicians. In addition, the use of an HAC rating as an objective indicator of care efficiency indicated that nurse practitioners surpass resident physicians. This study not only confirmed that the attending physician-nurse practitioner model works well, based on the outcome analysis, but it also provided a new perspective and new evidence to show the value of nurse practitioner care in Taiwan.
Implications for practice: Continuously increasing the training and education of nurse practitioners, while establishing a more comprehensive system for monitoring and evaluating their efficiency in accordance with hospital guidelines, is recommended and should lead to the provision of better services to meet patients' needs.