title: Using a mixed-methods design to examine nurse practitioner integration in British Columbia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss and provide examples of how mixed-methods research was used to evaluate the integration of nurse practitioners (NPs) into a Canadian province.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Legislation enabling NPs to practise in British Columbia (BC) was enacted in 2005. This research evaluated the integration of NPs and their effect on the BC healthcare system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using surveys, focus groups, participant interviews and case studies over three years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data sources and methods were triangulated to determine how the findings addressed the research questions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The challenges and benefits of using the multiphase design are highlighted in the paper.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The multiphase mixed-methods research design was selected because of its applicability to evaluation research. The design proved to be robust and flexible in answering research questions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As sub-studies within the multiphase design are often published separately, it can be difficult for researchers to find examples. This paper highlights ways that a multiphase mixed-methods design can be conducted for researchers unfamiliar with the process.
authors.affiliation: University of Victoria, Canada.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sangster-Gormley
authors.affiliation: University of Victoria, Canada.
authors.forename: Janessa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.affiliation: University of Victoria, Canada.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.affiliation: University of Victoria, Canada.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borycki
mesh_terms: D001955:British Columbia; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Canada; Mixed-methods research; methodology; multiphase design; nurse practitioners