¶ … forum's follow comments's response. Purpose synthesis accurately captures essence insights discussion provide analysis. Discussion summary: Perceptions of APNs in practice

The focus of this week's discussion was upon the 'trust factor' regarding the expanding roles APNs are playing in healthcare. The original article which acted as a springboard to the discussion suggested that patients are often more satisfied with APN-directed care than physician-provided care, perhaps due to the greater sensitivity and better bedside manner of APNs. There was an extended discussion amongst the participants about how to offer care that was attenuated to patient's emotional as well as physical needs, yet still efficient and mindful of time constraints of the healthcare environment.

Gender may also be a factor when dealing with female patients, particularly in regards to gynecological matters: more APNs are female, so women often feel that APNs are more sensitive about female health needs. However,...

There may also be resentment between physicians and APNs: physicians may feel that APNs are allowed more time to get to know their patients, which they cannot, given the ways their hours are scheduled. However, this tension can be resolved if the APN is willing to see patients when the physician is 'backed up' and vice versa: such was the case for many of the participants at their workplaces.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding patient perceptions: some patients may simply accept the APN as 'the doctor' because of the role function she fulfills while others might be mistrustful because the APN is not a 'real' doctor in their eyes. While clearly all healthcare practitioners have both the potential and obligation to be caring, the personality type that is drawn to become an APN and the worldview of nursing conveyed in nursing school may place a higher value…