Advanced clinical practitioners' role in reducing readmissions for patients aged over 65 years

Background: Hospital readmission rates in the UK's older population put pressure to the healthcare system, patients and their families. The advanced clinical practitioner role is one possible solution to alleviate pressures on general practitioners in primary care by preventing readmissions. Aim: This study explored general practitioners' perspective of the advanced clinical practitioner role in reducing hospital readmission rates for patients aged over 65 years. Methods: A qualitative study using an interpretative phenomenology approach and purposive sampling explored perceptions of general practitioners working in a primary care setting. Three in-depth semi-structured interviews were recorded and analysed using the interpretative phenomenology approach framework. Results: Three key themes were extracted from the data: poor communication post hospital discharge; patient follow up; and the advanced clinical practitioners role in preventing readmissions. Conclusions The general practitioners in this study recognised the value of the advanced clinical practitioner role and their ability to enrich care provided to patients post-hospital discharge, which may subsequently impact on reducing hospital readmissions. Implications for practice: Although the advanced clinical practitioner role was perceived differently across general practices, findings demonstrate positive reflection of the role with a sense of camaraderie and collaboration between advanced clinical practitioners and general practitioners.