A systemised literature review into the benefits of introducing the advanced clinical practitioner role to palliative care patients

Background:
By 2040, it is predicted that at least 42% more people will need palliative care services in England and Wales. It is not known if introducing advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) to palliative care environments is beneficial to patients and healthcare organisations.

Aims:
This research aims to evaluate if there is a benefit to incorporating ACPs within palliative care environments through data collection on their effectiveness when working in palliative care.

Methods:
A systemised review of the literature with a narrative synthesis.

Findings:
The literature shows that the ACP role has positive benefits on palliative care in three domains: (1) for the patient, through improving quality of life; (2) for professionals, through education; and (3) for organisations, through cost-effective models of care.

Conclusions:
Incorporating the role of the ACP could enable organisations and trusts to deliver new models of care that are both patient-focused and cost-effective. Further research is needed within palliative care on the impact of nurses educated to an MSc level in advanced clinical practice, compared to the traditional role of the clinical nurse specialist.