Exploring an Advanced Practice programme for Children and Young People
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring an Advanced Practice programme for children and young people's healthcare: a realist evaluation
IRAS ID
300653
Contact name
Robin L Hyde
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Northumbria, Newcastle
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 18 days
Research summary
Advanced Practice (AP) within the context of nursing has had an evolutionary history yet despite decades of development, research and debate, the area remains one of the least understood. Historic research report benefits that include proven equivalence to medicine, increased levels of patient satisfaction, diagnostic excellence, reducing waiting times in addition to improving access to care, cost efficiencies and service sustainability. Yet the current evidence base has important limitations. Firstly, demographically research is predominantly positioned within adult populations not acknowledging the fact children and young people (CYP) have stark differences in healthcare needs. Secondly, empirical work that is generated in the context of CYPs healthcare is largely from North America and Australia. Both continents have very different political, organisational, and cultural structures to the healthcare systems as appose to that of United Kingdom (UK). The political, cultural, and structural organisational differences may influence the success of AP but are not considered in the current literature. Similarly, from a design approach, much of the knowledge created with regards to AP is derived predominantly from quantitative studies which fail to provide the detail with regards to how, why and in what way such an initiative works or not, generating deeper explanations, connecting such to outcomes generated.
The research proposed will identify and contribute to theory surrounding the operations of an Advanced Practice programme established for CYPs healthcare; recognising Advanced Practice as a level of delivery which may be provided by a range of health professionals for a given population. The chief investigator will seek to explore programme delivery through the lens of nursing. The research is important to conduct due to the gaps in knowledge; establishing the efficacy of emerging programme models by explaining factors which may enable or impede the operations of such programmes for health, attempting to make connections to outcomes achieved will strengthen workforce policy whilst attempting to generate a greater understanding of the impact of AP within CYPs healthcare.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0299
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion