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☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Advanced Nursing

Advanced Practice Nurses' Evidence‐Based Healthcare Competence and Associated Factors in Finland and Singapore—A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To describe and compare the Evidence-Based HealthCare (EBHC) competence of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), and the factors associated with it in Finland and Singapore.

Design

A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study.

Methods

Data were collected from APNs working in healthcare in Finland (n = 157) or Singapore (n = 99) between May 2023 and October 2023 using a self-assessment instrument to measure EBHC competence (EBHC-Comp-APN) and an EBHC knowledge test. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, K-mean cluster and multivariate analyses.

Results

The self-assessments of APNs working in Finland and Singapore regarding their EBHC competence level varied and three distinct profiles of APNs' EBHC competence were identified in both countries. The strongest EBHC competence was in ‘The Knowledge Needs Related to Global Health’, while the weakest in ‘Evidence Synthesis and Transfer’. The country-specific differences were identified in factors associated with EBHC competence.

Conclusion

The EBHC competencies of APNs vary widely and require planned and needs-driven development. In connection with the development of EBHC competence, the factors related to competence should be considered country-by-country.

Implications for the Profession

The APN's EBHC competence should be systematically developed considering the factors associated with and the current level of EBHC competence.

Impact

The level of EBHC competence of APNs and associated factors should be identified when developing their competence and role in collaboration with APNs, leaders of healthcare and education organisations and policy makers. In addition, research into APNs' EBHC competence should continue.

Reporting Method

The STROBE checklist was used in the reporting of the study.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Clinical Nursing

Patients' perspectives of the digital counselling competence of healthcare professionals—A qualitative descriptive study

Por: Petra Suonnansalo · Juulia Kaihlaniemi · Outi Kähkönen · Anne Oikarinen — Julio 9th 2024 at 13:49

Abstract

Aim

To describe the perspectives of patients using digital services on the digital counselling competence of healthcare professionals.

Design

A descriptive qualitative interview study.

Methods

The analysed data were collected in Finland during the spring of 2023 via 11 individual, semi-structured interviews from participants who had received video-mediated counselling. The interviews were carried out online through Microsoft Teams and adhered to an interview guide using main and ancillary questions. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results

The patients' perspectives of healthcare professionals' digital counselling competence were related to five categories: (1) competence in preparing for video-mediated counselling, (2) digital competence in implementing the video-mediated counselling, (3) competence in interacting with the patient during the video-mediated counselling, (4) competence in supporting the patient's self-management in video-mediated counselling and (5) competence in self-development as a digital counsellor.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that healthcare professionals need to possess a wide range of digital counselling competencies when providing video-mediated counselling. This study thus lays the groundwork for future studies of patients' perspectives of healthcare professionals' digital counselling competence.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

The results of this study can be used to develop healthcare professionals' digital counselling competence and patient-centered care. The presented insights can also be used to map further research topics.

Reporting Method

The Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used when reporting the results.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients who had experience in using digital services participated in the data collection of this study.

Impact

What problem did the study address? Healthcare professionals may well need to develop new competencies as counselling is increasingly moving to digital environments. What were the main findings? The main areas of digital counselling competence that emerged from the patients' perspectives were competence in preparing for video-mediated counselling, digital competence, competence in interacting with the patient, competence in supporting self-management and competence in self-development as a digital counsellor. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The research can be used to build and develop healthcare professionals' digital counselling competence, as well as improve the delivery of patient-centered care.

☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Clinical Nursing

Advanced practice nurses' evidence‐based healthcare competence and associated factors: A systematic review

Abstract

Background

Evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) enables consistent and effective healthcare that prioritises patient safety. The competencies of advanced practice nurses (APNs) are essential for implementing EBHC because their professional duties include promoting EBHC.

Aim

To identify, critically appraise, and synthesise the best available evidence concerning the EBHC competence of APNs and associated factors.

Design

A systematic review.

Data Sources

CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic, ProQuest, and MedNar.

Methods

Databases were searched for studies (until 19 September 2023) that examined the EBHC competence and associated factors of APNs were included. Quantitative studies published in English, Swedish and Finnish were included. We followed the JBI methodology for systematic review and performed a narrative synthesis.

Results

The review included 12 quantitative studies, using 15 different instruments, and involved 3163 participants. The quality of the studies was fair. The APNs' EBHC competence areas were categorised into five segments according to the JBI EBHC model. The strongest areas of competencies were in global health as a goal, transferring and implementing evidence, while the weakest were generating and synthesising evidence. Evidence on factors influencing APNs' EBHC competencies was contradictory, but higher levels of education and the presence of an organisational research council may be positively associated with APNs' EBHC competencies.

Conclusion

The development of EBHC competencies for APNs should prioritise evidence generation and synthesis. Elevating the education level of APNs and establishing a Research Council within the organisation can potentially enhance the EBHC competence of APNs.

Implications for the Profession

We should consider weaknesses in EBHC competence when developing education and practical exercises for APNs. This approach will promote the development of APNs' EBHC competence and EBHC implementation in nursing practice.

Registration, and Reporting Checklist

The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021226578), and reporting followed the PRISMA checklist.

Patient/Public Contribution

None.

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