Tandem practice model: a model for physician-nurse practitioner collaboration in a specialty practice, neurosurgery.

PURPOSE: To describe the benefits of a physician-nurse practitioner (NP) collaborative practice model, specifically that of a tandem practice model, using a neurosurgeon and a primary care NP in the clinic and inpatient setting. DATA SOURCES: Selected journal articles from Medline and CINAHL, and anecdotal clinical experience. CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative practice model, in which the physician and NP deliver patient care in tandem, is beneficial to patients and their families because they receive comprehensive care that is patient oriented and holistic. Further, the model benefits multiple disciplines across the healthcare continuum by providing efficient communication of patient needs, accessibility of the specialty team, and timely implementation of patient interventions. The collaboration of the physician specialist and primary care NP provides a holistic approach to the care of diverse and challenging patient populations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Patients seen in a specialty practice, particularly that of neurosurgery, often have little understanding of their problem and may be frightened or confused because of their perceptions of the unknown. Providing care to such specialized patient populations in a constantly changing healthcare environment may prove demanding to the specialist. The introduction of a primary care NP into such specialty settings offers patients, their families, consultants, and staff members an additional resource for evaluation, intervention, education, and communication, improving the continuity and comprehensiveness of care to challenging patient populations. This model is an option for physician specialists interested in augmenting their practice and provides further resources for meeting the holistic needs of selected patient populations regardless of the setting.