Documenting diabetes care: the diabetes nurse specialists' perspective

Diabetes Nurse Specialists (DNSs) are often the hub of the communications network for the entire diabetes multiprofessional health care team, patients and their families. Frequently they liaise between primary and secondary care and have a key role in the provision of a 'seamless service'. To work effectively and efficiently they need a foolproof system of documentation and communication. The aim of the study was to investigate the means by which DNSs document patient care in order to provide baseline information about ongoing record-keeping practices. The study comprised a cross-sectional survey in which data were obtained by questionnaire. All DNSs in the UK registered with the British Diabetic Association were invited to participate in the study. A 70.3% response rate was achieved (n = 545). The results indicated that manual profession-specific records were used by 65.3% of DNSs, 21.1% used shared/integrated records, 12.8% used computerized records and only 0.7% made use of patient-held records. Whilst almost all DNSs felt that a good record-keeping system was essential in providing 'seamless care' to patients, not all felt their system was efficient. Of those using a computerized system 65.7% rated it as efficient, compared with only 28.1% of those using a profession-specific system and 26.1% of those using a manual shared system. A high percentage of DNSs (65.9%) felt that the provision of 'seamless care' was hindered by communication problems with members of other professional groups. The findings from this study indicate that computers alone cannot bridge the gap between primary and secondary care, but 'seamless care' may become more of a reality with computerized record-keeping systems and participation by all members of the multidisciplinary team.