title: Integration of nurse practitioners into Ontario's primary health care system: variations across practice settings.
abstract: Annual tracking surveys of nurse practitioners in the Canadian province of Ontario conducted by the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provide a picture of current employment and practice. The authors present an update on the most recent survey of primary health care nurse practitioners (PHC NPs), conducted in 2008.The study sample consisted of 378 NPs registered in Ontario in 2008 and practising in PHC. Differences in demographic, employment, and practice characteristics in a variety of practice settings are explored. Geographic distribution, education, autonomy of the NP, and the practice profiles varied across settings. The findings document the integration of NPs into Ontario's health-care system and suggest a need to further describe the models of practice and their impact on PHC outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Koren
authors.forename: Oxana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mian
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rukholm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D032022:Delegation, Professional / Q000458:organization & administration; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009864:Ontario; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires