Wilson Laurie N, Wainwright Gail A, Stehly Christy D, Stoltzfus Jill, Hoff William S
Department of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, St Luke's University Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA.
J Trauma Nurs. 2013 Jan-Mar;20(1):51-5. doi: 10.1097/JTN.0b013e31828661e9.
Because of multiple changes in the health care environment, the use of services of physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) in trauma and critical care has expanded. Appropriate training and ongoing professional development for these providers are essential to optimize clinical outcomes. This study offers a baseline assessment of the academic and professional needs of the contemporary trauma PAs/NPs in the United States. A 14-question electronic survey, using SurveyMonkey, was distributed to PAs/NPs at trauma centers identified through the American College of Surgeons Web site and other online resources. Demographic questions included trauma center level, provider type, level of education, and professional affiliations. Likert scale questions were incorporated to assess level of mentorship, comfort level with training, and individual perceived needs for academic and professional development. There were 120 survey respondents: 60 NPs and 60 PAs. Sixty-two respondents (52%) worked at level I trauma centers and 95 (79%) were hospital-employed. Nearly half (49%) reported working in trauma centers for 3 years or less. One hundred nineteen respondents (99%) acknowledged the importance of trauma-specific education; 98 (82%) were required by their institution to obtain such training. Thirty-five respondents (32%) reported receiving $1000 per year or less as a continuing medical education benefit. Insufficient mentorship, professional development, and academic development were identified by 22 (18%), 16 (13%), and 30 (25%) respondents, respectively. Opportunities to network with trauma PAs/NPs outside their home institution were identified as insufficient by 79 (66%). While PAs/NPs in trauma centers recognize the importance of continued contemporary trauma care and evidence-based practices, attending trauma-related education is not universally required by their employers. Financial restrictions may pose an additional impediment to academic development. Therefore, resource-efficient opportunities should be a prime consideration for advanced practitioners education, especially since half of the reported workforce has 3 years or less experience. The Eastern Association of Trauma and other organizations can provide an ideal venue for mentorship, academic development, and networking that is vital to PA/NP professional development and, ultimately, quality patient care.
由于医疗保健环境的多重变化，医师助理（PA）和执业护士（NP）在创伤和重症护理服务中的使用有所增加。对这些医疗服务提供者进行适当培训和持续的专业发展对于优化临床结果至关重要。本研究对美国当代创伤PA/NP的学术和专业需求进行了基线评估。通过SurveyMonkey向通过美国外科医师学会网站和其他在线资源确定的创伤中心的PA/NP发放了一份包含14个问题的电子调查问卷。人口统计学问题包括创伤中心级别、医疗服务提供者类型、教育程度和专业隶属关系。采用李克特量表问题来评估指导水平、对培训的舒适度以及个人对学术和专业发展的感知需求。共有120名受访者参与调查：60名NP和60名PA。62名受访者（52%）在一级创伤中心工作，95名（79%）受雇于医院。近一半（49%）的受访者报告在创伤中心工作3年或以下。119名受访者（99%）承认创伤特异性教育的重要性；98名（82%）被所在机构要求接受此类培训。35名受访者（32%）报告每年获得的继续医学教育福利为1000美元或更少。分别有22名（18%）、16名（13%）和30名（25%）受访者认为指导、专业发展和学术发展不足。79名（66%）受访者认为在其所在机构之外与创伤PA/NP建立联系的机会不足。虽然创伤中心的PA/NP认识到持续的当代创伤护理和循证实践的重要性，但其雇主并非普遍要求他们参加与创伤相关的教育。经济限制可能对学术发展构成额外障碍。因此，资源高效的机会应成为高级医疗服务提供者教育的首要考虑因素，特别是因为报告的劳动力中有一半工作经验为3年或以下。东部创伤协会和其他组织可以为指导、学术发展和建立联系提供理想场所，这对PA/NP的专业发展以及最终的优质患者护理至关重要。
