Survey of APN in psychiatric care

Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) play a central role in psychiatric care. With this survey, we would like to examine the role of APNs in more detail and thus contribute to their development and dissemination.

Factsheet

Schools involved School of Health Professions
Institute(s) Nursing
Research unit(s) Innovation in the Field of Mental Health and Psychiatric Care
Duration (planned) 01.10.2024 - 31.05.2025
Head of project Dr. Anna Hegedüs
Project staff Dr. Peter Wolfensberger
Nora Christa Ambord
Keywords Advanced Practice, Psychiatry, Nursing, Role

Situation

Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) play a central coordinating role in psychiatric care by providing continuous and family-centered support to patients in multiple treatment contexts and interprofessional teams. Their expanded competencies include knowledge and skills in areas such as psychopathology, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, counseling, health promotion, and prevention. A clear job description, integration into organizational structures, and management support have been shown to promote the integration of the APN role. However, in psychiatric care in Switzerland, especially in outpatient psychiatric care, the introduction of APNs is still in its infancy and there are many uncertainties regarding the design of this role. The aim of the project is to conduct an online survey among APNs in psychiatric care to collect data on their activities, roles, work settings, regional location and other aspects.

Course of action

The online survey is designed for nurses with a master's degree in nursing or master students who work in psychiatric specialty nursing, including inpatient psychiatry, primary care, outpatient care, and other settings. The survey collects demographic data as well as information on work setting, clinical specialty, job title, work hours, activities, interprofessional collaboration, challenges, and opportunities. The survey will be available in English, French and German in January 2025.