Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To identify challenges in stroke care services and stakeholders' expectations for the role of stroke advanced practice nurses (APNs) in the neurology department of a tertiary hospital in ainland China. DESIGN: A field study using participatory observation and in-depth interviews. SETTING: The neurology department of a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province, China. PARTICIPANTS: The principal researcher conducted participant observation in the capacity of a clinical nurse. In-depth individual interviews were conducted within 7 stroke patients and their carers, 4 doctors and 10 nurses. RESULTS: Key challenges included a shortage of specialised professionals, imprecise, untimely and discontinuous care, poor medical-nursing collaboration, limited nursing expertise and unmet patient needs. Stakeholders expected stroke APNs to fulfil six roles: stroke care expert, advanced clinical practitioner, collaborative coordinator, specialist care innovator, specialised educator and role model. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke APNs should provide precise, timely and continuous care for patients while enhancing team cohesion, overall competence and service quality.