Integrating advanced practice nurses into the pathways of older people with chronic illnesses: perceptions in primary care

Introduction: Users’ perceptions of the deployment of advanced practice nurses (APNs) are considered as part of a health democracy approach and are an important determinant of APN deployment. Objective: To explore how older people perceive the integration of an APN into their primary care pathway. Method: Exploratory qualitative study using semi-directed interviews with older people being followed by an RPN. The analysis monitored an inductive thematic approach. Results: Eleven users were interviewed and reported that they were satisfied with the follow-up offered. Three main categories emerged from the verbatim analysis: the IPA is perceived as a professional capable of taking on several roles in the care pathway, his integration is part of a rapidly changing medicine, the users’ level of satisfaction is notable, highlighting a quality of relationship and an improvement in access to care. Discussion: Although French APNs have a different profile to those in other countries, users’ perceptions in France are similar to those reported elsewhere. The practice appears to be rooted in nursing science.