Exploring the Roles and Regulatory Challenges of Advanced Practice Nurses in Acute Pain Management : A Scoping Review
Barroso-Castaño, Patricia (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Cabrera Jaime, Sandra (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Huertas-Zurriaga, Ariadna (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Infermeria)
Alonso-Fernández, Sergio (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge)
Casanovas-Cuellar, Cristina (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament d'Infermeria)
Benito Aracil, Llúcia (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge)

Data:	2025
Resum:	Aim: To explore the roles and training of advanced practice nurses specialised in acute pain management, as reported in the current literature. Design: Scoping review. Data Sources: We searched PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL in December 2023 to identify relevant studies published from 1996. Methods: Relevant literature was identified, screened, and analysed using a structured scoping review process. Two reviewers independently selected and extracted data from eligible studies, with a third reviewer resolving any disagreements. Results: A total of 1682 records were screened, and 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. Four main themes emerged: job titles, roles, training, and barriers. The review revealed substantial variation in job titles and role descriptions across clinical settings and geographic regions, with more comprehensive role definitions found in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. Training pathways, including postgraduate qualifications and certification, varied significantly and many low- and middle-income countries lacked structured training frameworks. Barriers identified included regulatory limitations, insufficient educational infrastructure and lack of legal authority to practice. Conclusion: This review highlights significant international variation in the definition, training and regulation of advanced practice nurses in acute pain management. There is an urgent need to develop global standards, including unified competencies and certification pathways, to ensure consistent and effective care. Implications for the Profession: Standardising competencies and training will support role recognition, improve consistency in clinical practice and promote high-quality care for individuals experiencing acute pain. Impact: This review addresses the global inconsistency in role definition and training of advanced practice nurses in acute pain management. Findings may inform educators, health professionals, policymakers and regulators, particularly in resource-limited settings. Reporting Method: This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.
Nota:	This work was supported by \u2018Nursing Research Group GRIN\u2010IDIBELL\u2019 and the \u2018Agency for Management of University and Research Grants\u2019 (2021SGR00929). Patricia Barroso was supported by the 2021\u20132022 Ajuts Germans Trias Talents of the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital and Research Institute and the JMC Research Fund. The review was funded by the Ministry of Research and Universities of the Government of Cat. Funding:
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article de revisió ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria:	Acute pain ; Advanced practice nursing ; Nurse's role ; Nursing education
Publicat a:	Journal of advanced nursing, 2025 , ISSN 1365-2648

DOI: 10.1111/jan.17027

52 p, 719.1 KB

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Documents de recerca > Documents dels grups de recerca de la UAB > Centres i grups de recerca (producció científica) > Ciències de la salut i biociències > Institut d'Investigació en Ciencies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP)
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