An Outcomes Comparison between Nurse Practitioners and Primary Care Physicians in Quality of Life in Older Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease affecting patients' outcomes and quality of life. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) are renowned for their positive impact on patient satisfaction and quality of life. However, the extent to which they achieve these results still needs to be explored. The study aimed to determine if the disease course of older CHF patients under NPs and PCPs remained consistent, focusing on patients' satisfaction levels in NP care compared to those in PCP care in primary care settings. A comparative observational design was used to recruit CHF patients aged 65 and above from nursing homes in Ontario, Canada. Subjects completed the 12-question questionnaire to gauge satisfaction and overall quality of life. Results were analysed using ANOVA as outcome indicators of the NPs and PCPs were to be compared.Findings showed no significant variation in quality of life score measurement between NP and PCP patients. Both (NPs and PCPs) were revealed to be equally strong in meeting the demanding CHF patients' needs. The study emphasises the crucial role of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in multidisciplinary Team CHF care, highlighting their role in improving patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. It acknowledges the limitations of the measurement study, such as sample size, and contributes to ongoing debates on healthcare delivery.