Publication Date

Spring 2016

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Danette Dutra

Second Advisor

Deborah Kindy

Third Advisor

Barbara Ritter

Keywords

Interprofessional collaboration, Nurse practitioner faculty-managed clinic

Abstract

A serious need exists for improved access to primary care for vulnerable populations. Nurse Practitioner Faculty Managed Clinics (NPFMC) can help to alleviate this problem. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive study was to identify and examine the beginning components necessary for implementing this inter-professional collaboration. A comprehensive literature review identified the absence of these components, which were then revealed through the interviews with founders of NPFMCs. Prior to the interviews two manuals were reviewed about the process of starting a free clinic. Questions were explored relating to the participants’ experiences in starting a NPFMC. Review of the manuals was found to be lacking in the beginning process of founding a NPFMC. Through transcription of the interviews recurrent patterns emerged forming themes. The interviews revealed unexpected and important missing components in the formation of an inter-professional collaboration in the form of a NPFMC. These components included vision which provided guidance and foresight, and tenacity which is the motivator for implementing the clinic. These non-tangible components bridge the gap to the concrete steps.

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