title: Defining the role of primary health care nurse practitioners in rural Nova Scotia.
abstract: This article reports on a mixed methods study to define the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in rural Nova Scotia, Canada, by collecting the perceptions of rural health board chairpersons and health-care providers. Qualitative data were collected in telephone interviews with health board chairpersons. Quantitative data were collected in a survey of NPs, family physicians, public health nurses, and family practice nurses.The authors describe participants' perspectives on the health needs of rural communities, the gaps in the current model of primary health care services, the envisaged role of NPs in rural communities, and the facilitators of and barriers to NP role implementation. Optimizing the benefits of the NP role for residents of rural communities requires attention to the barriers that impede deployment and integration of the role.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martin-Misener
authors.forename: Sandra M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Ardene Robinson
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vollman
mesh_terms: D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005260:Female; D006075:Governing Board; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009674:Nova Scotia; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires