Evaluating the impact of nurse practitioner involvement in a pleural procedures clinic

Abstract

Background: Pleural disease incidence is increasing and there has been a move towards outpatient management. Pleural clinics have been developed for patients to be assessed and have pleural procedures for diagnostic and symptomatic purposes. Aim: The study aimed to assess the impact of nurse practitioner (NP) involvement in a pleural procedures clinic on clinic capacity, and staff and patient experience. Methods: A mixed-methods service evaluation was completed in a medium-sized general hospital. The number of patients seen in clinic over a 6-month period at the beginning of NP involvement was compared with the number of patients seen 1 year later. Semi-structured interviews of key staff stakeholders were conducted. Findings: Clinic capacity increased from 4.57 to 5.86 patients per list. NP involvement increased access, improved patient care, reduced work burden for other staff and improved educational opportunities. Conclusion: The impact of NP involvement in the pleural clinic was seen as positive and increased clinic capacity. The same model of practice could be considered elsewhere.