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.