Mapping the provision of care by nurse practitioners in virtual health care clinics: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to chart the evidence in relation to the provision of care by nurse practitioners in virtual clinics.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted health care systems, providers, and patients to rapidly shift to virtual care settings. Four years later, virtual care continues to be a focal point of health care delivery with the ensuing spread of both hybrid models (ie, a blend of in-person and virtual care) and virtual clinics (ie, virtual-only service-delivery platforms with built-in electronic medical records). Nurse practitioners are identified globally as essential components to the effective and sustainable delivery of health care models. While both virtual care and nurse practitioners are recognized as critical cornerstones of health care innovation, there is a gap in what is known about care provision by nurse practitioners in virtual clinics.

Eligibility criteria: Articles exploring care provided by nurse practitioners in virtual health care clinics will be included. Eligible articles will focus on characteristics of the nurse practitioner and their provision of virtual care, as well as the barriers and facilitators to care provision. Clinic settings will include those that offer longitudinal and/or episodic care.

Methods: This review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The search strategy includes published and unpublished articles without date restrictions. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses for gray literature. Data will be extracted and organized using a tool informed by the PEPPA conceptual framework and reported in a narrative and tabular summary.

Review registration: OSF https://osf.io/uf6qg.