Investigating the Association Between Nurse Practitioners' Autonomy and Patient Access to Primary Care in Rural Areas: A Qualitative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63278/jicrcr.vi.1358Abstract
Objective: This qualitative study aimed to investigate the association between nurse practitioners' autonomy and patient access to primary care in rural areas.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 nurse practitioners working in rural primary care settings. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Three main themes emerged from the data: 1) the impact of nurse practitioner autonomy on patient access, 2) barriers to nurse practitioner autonomy, and 3) strategies to enhance nurse practitioner autonomy. Nurse practitioners reported that their autonomy positively influenced patient access to care, but they also faced challenges related to scope of practice restrictions and limited support.
Conclusion: Nurse practitioners' autonomy plays a crucial role in improving patient access to primary care in rural areas. Addressing barriers to autonomy and implementing strategies to enhance it can optimize the contribution of nurse practitioners in rural healthcare delivery.
