title: Measuring the impact of the advanced practitioner role: a practical approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper aims to illuminate difficulties in evaluating the advanced practitioner role and to offer a practical solution.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The advanced practice role has been part of the workforce strategy in the Northwest of England since 2005. However capturing hard evidence of the impact of this role has been problematic. Current restrictions on resources require the provision of evidence of the value of roles and services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Critical analysis of literature has identified challenges in evaluating the advanced practice role. The case study design takes account of current policy initiatives, notably QIPP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is no common approach to evaluating the role of advanced practitioners. The case study has the potential to be a useful tool to organise evidence of the impact of advanced practitioner roles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advanced practitioners need to have appropriate knowledge and skills to provide evidence of the impact of their role. There is potential for this work to be applied to other roles across the NHS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Managers need to work in partnership with workforce planners and educationalists to support advanced practitioners to utilise their skills in methods of providing evidence that they do work of value. Clear strategic direction for advanced practitioners is advised as part of the workforce strategy.
authors.affiliation: University of Salford School of Nursing and Midwifery, Frederick Road Campus, Salford M60 6PU, UK. l.neville@salford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neville
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swift
mesh_terms: D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care