Is physical assessment a step towards Advanced Nursing Practice in Poland?

Introduction. Advanced Nurse Practitioners is definite by the ICN as a highly experienced and educated members of the care team who are
able to diagnose and treat the healthcare needs or refer to an appropriate specialist if needed. Their basic skills are: take a comprehensive
patient history, carry out physical examinations, use their expert knowledge and clinical judgment to identify the potential nursing diagnosis.

Aim of the study. The purpose of the study is the estimation of the level in usage skills of the physical examination in the practical activity
and recognition of the possible difficulties.

Material and methods. An investigative method was the diagnostic poll. Anonymous research tool was modelled on the author’s questionnaire
of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź. Between February 2007 and November 2008, 217 participants of the postgraduate
specialization training in the 8 nursing-spheres were surveyed in Szczecin.

Results and conclusions. Respondents confirm the high usefulness of chosen elements of the physical examination in nursing practice.
There are a lot of organizational nature objection. The work in the interdisciplinary teams and legislative changes in Poland are the requirement
for initiation of the idea of the Advanced Nursing Practice.

Nursing Topics 2010; 18 (2): 117-123