Table 1.

Closed-ended survey questions about NP attitudes

Have you ever heard of a Nurse Practitioner?

Given that NP role is new within Australia the interviewer then clarified the role of the NP for the participants by reading out

“Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a Master's degree and extensive clinical experience. They can refer patients to other health professionals, prescribe medications such as antibiotics and order diagnostic tests such as X-rays or blood tests. They work independently, or as part of the health care team to treat conditions that are traditionally provided by the doctor.”

Prior to asking of each of the NP opinion questions the interviewer read out the following statement;

“Bearing in mind that I would still be referred to a doctor if necessary, I would be willing to receive care from a Nurse Practitioner”:

If the Nurse Practitioner spent more time with me than I usually receive when I attend the Doctor.

If the Nurse Practitioner could treat my child.

If I didn't have to wait so long to see the doctor.

If the Nurse Practitioner were able to write prescriptions, order pathology, x-rays and refer to Specialists.

If the Nurse Practitioner were able to write prescriptions, order pathology, x-rays and refer to Specialists.

If the Nurse Practitioner could manage my chronic or continuing condition.

In the Emergency Department.

In the Community Setting (for example GP, community health).

If you were given the option of seeing a Nurse Practitioner immediately, OR waiting for a period of time to see a Doctor, how long would you be prepared to wait to see to doctor?