Role development needs of stroke advanced practice nurses in mainland China hospital: a participatory qualitative study.

Abstract

To identify challenges in stroke care services and stakeholders' expectations for the role of stroke advanced practice nurses (APNs) in the neurology department of a tertiary hospital in ainland China. A field study using participatory observation and in-depth interviews. The neurology department of a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province, China. The principal researcher conducted participant observation in the capacity of a clinical nurse. In-depth individual interviews were conducted within 7 stroke patients and their carers, 4 doctors and 10 nurses. Key challenges included a shortage of specialised professionals, imprecise, untimely and discontinuous care, poor medical-nursing collaboration, limited nursing expertise and unmet patient needs. Stakeholders expected stroke APNs to fulfil six roles: stroke care expert, advanced clinical practitioner, collaborative coordinator, specialist care innovator, specialised educator and role model. Stroke APNs should provide precise, timely and continuous care for patients while enhancing team cohesion, overall competence and service quality.