Abstract

This study aimed to develop the performance indicators of nurse practitioners (NPs) in basic medical care in Thailand. This research was conducted in 2 steps: the 1st step was to establish performance indicators of NPs in basic medical care by interviewing seven experts and six stakeholders about basic medical care; the 2nd step was to validate the basic medical care performance indicators of NPs by questioning NPs across the country. The tested validity of indicator model used second-order confirmatory factor analysis by MPlus program. The sample comprised 510 NPs from 23 provinces in 4 regions of Thailand derived by using multi-stage random sampling. There were 20 indicators in 5 elements: (1) assessment and diagnosis with 5 indicators; (2) caring, providing treatment of common symptoms and doing NP medical procedures with 6 indicators; (3) giving medication to relieve symptoms or treatment according to the guidelines with 3 indicators; (4) a referral and follow up on the treatment with 3 indicators; and (5) continuing patient care with 3 indicators. A model of performance indicators developed was fitted with empirical data. By weight the arranged elements were in this order: 2, 3, 4, 1 and 5; the weights were 0.986, 0.966, 0.945, 0.899, and 0.621, respectively. Performance indicators of the NPs in Basic Medical Care had 20 indicators. The indicators were derived from the person directly involved with the basic medical care; therefore, these indicators can be applied to evaluate the NPs of enhancing performance.

Key words: Indicators, basic medical care, nurse practitioner, second-order confirmatory factor analysis.