Assessing the impact of nurse and allied health professional consultants: developing an activity diary

Aims. To construct and test an activity diary designed to measure the impact and explore the activities of nurse and allied health professional consultants in relation to each speciality and function of the role. Background. This was part of a funded feasibility study to assess the contribution of nurse and allied health professional consultants. Design. This was an exploratory study. Method. Thematic analysis of guided discussions with five nurse consultants and one physiotherapy consultant identified activities which were used to construct an activity diary. The activities were grouped under the four pillars or functions of the consultant role; expert practice, leadership, research and education. Participants recorded their activities in a diary over a one-week period. Conclusion. Results suggest that with some modification, this activity diary could be used to capture the impact, complexity and diversity of activities of the consultant role. Relevance to practice. Advanced practice roles are essential to the healthcare workforce of the future. This tool provides a method for measuring the contribution and complexity of the consultant role.