Acute Care Exam: a Profile of

Role Delineation Survey Changes (2004, 2010)

 

Description of Demographics of Respondents:Comparisons between 2004 and 2009

Top 7 Primary Clinical Focus

Areas2004 2009

Critical Care 12.4% 27.5%

Cardiovascular Surgery 10.7% 5.4%

Emergency 6.8% 10.7%

Oncology/Hematology 10.7% 8.9%

General Surgery 5.1% 4.1%

Neonatal 8.5% 3.4%

Neurology 2.5% 3.4%

Other 43.3% 32.5%

Location of Practice 2004 2009

Urban 85% 86.2%

Suburban 13% 11%

Rural 2% 2.8%

Years Experience as Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

2004 2009

Less than 10 yrs 23.9% 84%

11-15 yrs 20.8% 11%

16 or more yrs 55.3% 5%

Geographic Region 2004 2009

Both surveys (2004 and 2009) produced equal representation from the Northeast, Southeast, West and Midwest.

Additional Comparisons: Formal AC Program

** In 2009, survey respondents who completed a formal Acute Care Program: 47.1%

Additional Comparisons:

Percent of Time Spent in Practice Area

2004

2009

2004

2009

How well did the survey cover the important activities of your practice?

2004 AC Exam Content Outline & Body System Ranking

Body systems (guidelines, for those categorized):

o Respiratory 14%o Infectious disease 12%o Gastrointestinal 11%o Cardiovascular 10%o Neurology 9%o Hematology 8%o Renal 7%o Musculoskeletal 5%o Immunology 5%o Metabolic 5%o Endocrine 4%o Oncology 3%o Otolaryngology 2%o Trauma 2%o Mental health 1%o Dermatology 1%o Ophthalmology 1%

2010 AC Exam Content Outline & Body System Ranking

CONTENT AREATotal

%N ScoredN = 150

1. Assessment and Diagnosis 48% 72A. Health History 8% 12B. Physical Examination and Diagnostics 14% 21C. Diagnoses of Health Status 26% 39

2. Management 48% 72A. Implement and Evaluate Therapeutic Interventions 43 65B. Education, Collaboration, Consultation and Referral 5% 7

3. Professional Practice Role to include Research/Evidence based practice, Education and Leadership

4% 6

Total 100% 150

Management

Pulmonology 1Cardiology 2Infectious disease 3Neurology 4Hematology / Oncology 5Trauma 6GastrointestinaI 7Renal 8Musculoskeletal 9Endocrine / Metabolic 10Immunology 11Otolaryngology 12Dermatology 13

Assessment

Pulmonology 1Cardiology 2Infectious disease 3Neurology 4GastrointestinaI 5Hematology / Oncology 6Trauma 7Endocrine / Metabolic 8Renal 9Musculoskeletal 10Immunology 11Otolaryngology 12

Comparisons of the Detailed AC Content Outlines

2004: 3 Main content areas,

with 12 sub-content areas

Professional Practice:

8% of exam items Systems: % Importance

ordered

2010: 3 Main content areas,

collapsed sub-content areas.

Professional Practice: 4% of exam items

Systems: Different order, still by importance, specified as Assessment and Management

Detailed Content Areas: 2010 Highlights

• Health History: More specific to acute care practice• Physical Examination, Screening and Diagnostics:

Formal Developmental screening not as important, but growth and development integrated into all facets of AC PNP practice.

• Sexual and reproductive issues not important in context of acute care.

• Education, Referral, Consultation and Collaboration as main content with details related to family, illness, palliative and end of life care with interdisciplinary focus.