Abstract

Introduction:Eswatini, a small, largely rural country in Southern Africa, has a high burden of morbidity/mortality in the setting of a critical shortage of human resources for health. To help achieve universal access to healthcare across the lifespan, the advanced practice family nurse practitioner (FNP) role was proposed and is in the process of being implemented.Methods/Approach:The PEPPA framework (Participatory, Evidence-based, Patient focused Process for Advanced practice nursing) illustrates the steps in the process of developing and implementing the FNP role in a country. These steps include: determining the need for the role, deciding on a model of care, developing/implementing the curriculum, relevant policies, and scope of practice (SOP), and integrating the role into relevant nursing regulations and Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines and documents.Outcomes:The assessment has been completed, a locally tailored competency-based FNP curriculum has been developed, revised, and implemented, the FNP SOP has been approved and MOH guidelines are being updated to reflect current evidence-based practice and to integrate the FNP role. Continuous cycles of improvement/revision were needed to adapt the curriculum and SOP to meet local needs. Clinical placements were challenging since this is a new health cadre, but most challenges were overcome and many resulted in important opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.Summary:Outcomes from this quality improvement initiative demonstrate that it is feasible to develop and implement a locally responsive, competency-based FNP program in a low resource setting and enroll students, despite time and financial constraints. Adapting the curriculum and SOP from western countries can provide a foundation for program development but revision to assure that the program is responsive to local context is then needed. There is general acceptance of the role among Eswatini communities and professional stakeholders with emphasis on the need for FNP graduates to be clinically competent and able to function independently. Policy work related to deploying new graduates is ongoing.

Highlights

  • Eswatini, a small, largely rural country in Southern Africa, has a high burden of ­morbidity/mortality in the setting of a critical shortage of human resources for health

  • Why Did We Introduce the family nurse practitioner (FNP) Role in Eswatini? Description of the local problem The first graduate level advanced practice nursing program in the Kingdom of Eswatini was launched in 2017 as a strategic response to the health needs

  • Nurse practitioners focus on health promotion and disease prevention and provide care for people who experience common acute and chronic problems, along with complex and long-term care needs; skills which align well with the call to action for care across the lifespan outlined in the Eswatini national strategic plan

Read more

Summary

Introduction

A small, largely rural country in Southern Africa, has a high burden of ­morbidity/mortality in the setting of a critical shortage of human resources for health. Methods/Approach: The PEPPA framework (Participatory, Evidence-based, Patient focused Process for Advanced practice nursing) illustrates the steps in the process of developing and ­implementing the FNP role in a country. These steps include: determining the need for the role, deciding on a model of care, developing/implementing the curriculum, relevant policies, and scope of practice (SOP), and integrating the role into relevant nursing regulations and Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines and documents. Outcomes: The assessment has been completed, a locally tailored competency-based FNP curriculum has been developed, revised, and implemented, the FNP SOP has been approved and MOH guidelines are being updated to reflect current evidence-based practice and to integrate the FNP role.

Background
Findings
Discussion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call