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TITLE: FRAILTY FOCUS: EMPOWERING RURAL HEALTH WITH ADVANCED NURSE PRACTITIONERS: A DISCUSSION PAPER
  • Maria Betts,
  • Deirdre Harkin
Maria Betts
University of Ulster at Belfast

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Deirdre Harkin
University of Ulster at Jordanstown
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Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Frailty is a multidimensional condition with syndromes relating to falls, immobility, incontinence, impaired memory and medication side-effects. With increasing numbers of frailty, particularly in rural areas, healthcare systems are being challenged globally. Moreover, frailty may be more common in rural communities as a consequence of transportation issues, limited access to healthcare services and health promotion activities. Advanced Nurse Practitioners are ideally placed to undertake comprehensive geriatric assessments and identify frailly syndromes. Aims: Explore the function of the advanced Nurse Practitioner in managing people living with frailty in rural areas, considering public health agendas and evidence-based practice. Design: Discussion paper Key learnings: Frailty is linked to poorer health outcomes, an excessive use of health resources and decreased quality of life. Incorporating Advanced Nurse Practitioners into integrated models of care and health improvement strategies, can improve patient outcomes. Conclusion: Using advanced clinical and decision-making skills, Advanced Nurse practitioners deliver evidence-based care to improve patient safety and health outcomes. Creating partnerships to enhance the provision of healthcare, they are focused on frailty prevention, detection and providing support to develop co-produced management plans to address individual needs. The Advanced Nurse Practitioner has the ability to practice autonomously within an expanded scope of clinical practice, making them the ideal professional to support people living with frailty in rural areas. Impact for Nursing: When thinking about future strategies for advanced practice, it is important to acknowledge the lack of regulation, inadequate title protection, role variability, and different educational requirements. Organisations need to consider the enablers and barriers of Advanced Nurse Practitioners fulfilling their duties. Advanced Nurse practitioners are guided by public health agendas to improve the population health of those in rural areas. ABSTRACT WORD COUNT: 278
Submitted to Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
09 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
30 Sep 20241st Revision Received
01 Oct 2024Submission Checks Completed
01 Oct 2024Assigned to Editor
17 Oct 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned