Integrating practice issues in managed care into the curriculum: a Delphi survey.
OBJECTIVE
This project evolved from a partnership between an advanced practice nurse (APN) graduate program and a care management insurer. The purpose of this Delphi survey was to identify (a) role components germane to the practice of APNs in managed care and (b) topics reflecting these components in the curriculum.


METHODS
Data were gathered from two expert panels, clinician preceptors and faculty members. Each panel had 11 members: 11.3% and 100%, respectively, of the target populations of clinicians and faculty in the partnering agencies.


CONCLUSIONS
There was considerable congruence between the panels on the survey.


CONCLUSIONS
Case vignettes could be used as a vehicle for discussion of the broader issues of population approaches to specific problems. Faculty could partner with clinicians to develop cases for discussion of evidence-based practice. Faculty and clinicians could create preceptorships focused on business management, postgraduate fellowships within managed care systems, and regular opportunities to dialogue about curriculum and essential attributes of APN graduates.
Hawkins
Joellen W
JW
Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA. hawkinsj@bc.edu
Burke
Pamela J
PJ
Steinberg
Sharon
S
D001900:Boston; D003479:Curriculum; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000379:methods*