ACP

Background: Advanced Practice is a distinct level of practice utilised in multiprofessional roles including nurses and AHPs. Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are employed across various specialities within healthcare, forming an integral part of the local workforce. Advanced practice is underpinned by the 4 pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research. Frameworks exist to provide clear understanding of the capabilities; however, the understanding of the role is inconsistent. Project design: A service evaluation was conducted using a quantitative crosssectional survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings: Findings provided an understanding of the ACP role in relation to the 4 pillars of practice. Key interpretations indicate varying levels of understanding of the ACP role. Some practitioners self-identify as ACPs yet do not demonstrate working at this level whereas others can demonstrate working at this level, but do not have appropriate job titles to reflect this, implying a mismatch between the understanding of the role and employment expectations. While individual experiences identified support from clinical teams, there were shortfalls in support from the organisation and gaps in governance procedures. Conclusion: This evaluation has explored how ACPs understand their role in relation to the 4 pillars. Variation exists in how this is understood with differing levels of interpretation and evidencing of capabilities across the pillars. Findings suggests there a lack of governance, policy and supervision to support roles, and poor understanding advanced practice across healthcare settings. Understanding of the pillars needs improving and prioritisation of governance, supervision and leadership is vital to inform workforce development, policy and optimisation of advanced practice roles.

Background: Advanced Practice is a distinct level of practice utilised in multiprofessional roles including nurses and AHPs. Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are employed across various specialities within healthcare, forming an integral part of the local workforce. Advanced practice is underpinned by the 4 pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research. Frameworks exist to provide clear understanding of the capabilities; however, the understanding of the role is inconsistent. Project design: A service evaluation was conducted using a quantitative crosssectional survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings: Findings provided an understanding of the ACP role in relation to the 4 pillars of practice. Key interpretations indicate varying levels of understanding of the ACP role. Some practitioners self-identify as ACPs yet do not demonstrate working at this level whereas others can demonstrate working at this level, but do not have appropriate job titles to reflect this, implying a mismatch between the understanding of the role and employment expectations. While individual experiences identified support from clinical teams, there were shortfalls in support from the organisation and gaps in governance procedures. Conclusion: This evaluation has explored how ACPs understand their role in relation to the 4 pillars. Variation exists in how this is understood with differing levels of interpretation and evidencing of capabilities across the pillars. Findings suggests there a lack of governance, policy and supervision to support roles, and poor understanding advanced practice across healthcare settings. Understanding of the pillars needs improving and prioritisation of governance, supervision and leadership is vital to inform workforce development, policy and optimisation of advanced practice roles.