Advanced Practice Nursing in Portugal – Where do we stand?
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2024.10.2.338Keywords:
Advanced Practice Nursing, Healthcare Workforce, Specialists Nurses, Expanded Nursing Roles, Scoping ReviewAbstract
Background: Portugal's health workforce has been described as an inefficient mix of resources, impacting productivity and access to health services. To address these issues, stakeholders have advocated for Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) to strengthen the nursing role and improve service delivery. Aim: To analyze the relevance, pertinence, feasibility, and main barriers and facilitators of APN implementation in Portugal. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in the CINAHL, MEDLINE Complete, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases for peer-reviewed articles in English and Portuguese, published after 2000, on human resource configurations in health and nursing role expansion in Portugal. A review of grey literature further complemented the research. Results: A total of 59 studies (43 international, 16 national), 31 technical reports (17 international, 14 national), seven press articles, and two theses were screened. Findings were grouped into themes of APN conceptualization, regulation, barriers and facilitators, and funding. APN implementation depends on a consensus regarding APN conceptualization, regulation, and scope of practice. Key barriers include medical opposition, limited political commitment, and lack of comprehensive data on APNs' social and financial impact in Portugal. Conclusions: The implementation of Advanced Practice Nursing in Portugal is relevant and necessary, though its feasibility depends on strong leadership, political commitment, and consensus among stakeholders. Further research is essential to assess APNs' social and economic impacts within the Portuguese healthcare system.
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