[Significance of Existence and Future Prospects of Nurse Practitioners in Neurosurgical Teams].

ABSTRACT

Recently, hospitals and medical facilities have been experiencing a shortage of doctors along with heavy workload. The role of a mid-level provider may be important as a potential solution to these problems. A nurse practitioner(NP)is the most famous mid-level provider, and in our institution, the neurosurgery department has 3 NPs. Contrary to America, in Japan, the job of an NP is not an occupation independent from doctors or nurses. NPs perform 38 specific procedures according to doctors' instructions. Their activities include assisting with operations, writing prescriptions, participation in neurosurgical rounds and conferences, transportation of patients by helicopter, etc. The safe transportation of patients to isolated islands by a helicopter is especially a representative activity in our institution. Inclusion of NPs in clinical settings may bring forth medical improvements and superior work efficiency. According to regional characteristics, the job profile of a NP presents a potential scope for added capabilities.