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Australian consumers' expectations for expanded nursing roles in general practice--choice not gatekeeping
Desley Hegney1, Kay Price, Elizabeth Patterson
1Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health, University of Queensland, Australia. hegney@usq.edu.au
Australian Family Physician
|November 10, 2004
Summary
Consumer perceptions of practice nurses (PNs) in Australia reveal concerns about accessing their preferred health practitioner and PNs acting as gatekeepers, potentially impacting PN role acceptance.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Consumerism
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Research has explored the role of practice nurses (PNs) in Australia.
- However, consumer acceptability of the PN role remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate consumer perceptions of practice nurses in Australia.
- To identify potential barriers to the acceptance of PNs based on consumer views.
Main Methods:
- Two independent studies were conducted in 2002.
- Findings were compared and combined following a discussion at the 2003 National Practice Nurse Conference.
Main Results:
- Consumers expressed a desire to access their chosen health practitioner.
- Concerns were identified regarding practice nurses potentially assuming a gatekeeping role.
Conclusions:
- Consumer perceptions regarding access to care and gatekeeping roles may significantly influence the acceptance of practice nurses across Australia.