Patient acceptability and satisfaction with the rural emergency department nurse practitioner model of care (RED-NP MoC)

In Australia emergency department (ED) workflows have traditionally been reliant on a medical workforce. Ongoing and critical medical workforce shortages in rural areas have resulted in sub-optimal access to emergency department services. Nurse Practitioners (NP) have been proposed as one solution to the crisis. This study aimed to examine patient experiences and satisfaction with a newly implemented rural emergency department nurse practitioner model of care (RED-NP MoC). Between November 2023 to June 2024, patients seen by NPs in one of five participating emergency departments were invited to complete an anonymous online or telephone survey. A total 382 participants responded to the survey (22 % response rate). Over 90 % of patients agreed or strongly agreed that the NP listened to them, had time to talk to them, explained in a way that could be understood, was thorough, provided high quality care, was trustworthy and gave good advice. Similarly, over 90 % of patients were satisfied with the care they received from the NP and would be happy to see the NP in the ED again. Most additional comments about the RED-NP MoC supported the quantitative findings, expressing positive experiences. The RED-NP-MoC was highly acceptable to surveyed patients attending five rural hospital EDs.