title: Assessment of an established dialysis nurse practitioner model of care using mixed methods research.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess a dialysis nurse practitioner (NP) model of care by examining satisfaction, quality of life (QOL) and clinical outcomes of haemodialysis patients and explore experiences of dialysis nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Database analyses of dialysis indices amongst a sample (n = 45) of haemodialysis patients; a survey (n = 27) examining patient experience, satisfaction and QOL; and in-depth interviews with a sample (n = 10) of nurses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nurses commended the NP role, with five themes emerging: "managing and co-ordinating", "streamlining and alleviating", "developing capability", "supporting innovation and quality" and "connecting rurally". Patients' average age was 66 years and 71% were male. Patients' satisfaction with the care they received was rated 3.5/4 or higher across seven parameters and the average QOL score was 7.9/10.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NP model of care is effective in enhancing patient care within a collaborative framework. The challenge is to sustain, and enhance the model, through mentorship programs for potential candidates.
authors.affiliation: a St. Vincent's Hospital , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.affiliation: a St. Vincent's Hospital , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.|b St. Vincent's Centre for Nursing Research (SVCNR), Faculty of Health Sciences , Australian Catholic University , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.|c The Cardiovascular Research Centre (CvRC), Faculty of Health Sciences , Australian Catholic University , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Worrall-Carter
authors.affiliation: b St. Vincent's Centre for Nursing Research (SVCNR), Faculty of Health Sciences , Australian Catholic University , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.|c The Cardiovascular Research Centre (CvRC), Faculty of Health Sciences , Australian Catholic University , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.
authors.forename: Muhammad Aziz
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: b St. Vincent's Centre for Nursing Research (SVCNR), Faculty of Health Sciences , Australian Catholic University , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McEvedy
authors.affiliation: a St. Vincent's Hospital , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.|d Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , VIC , Australia.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Langham
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016294:Models, Nursing; D064647:Nephrology Nursing; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014739:Victoria
keywords: chronic; kidney disease; nephrology; nurse practitioner; patient satisfaction; quality of life; renal dialysis