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A nurse practitioner in general practice: working style and pattern of consultations
Summary
Specially trained nurse practitioners can autonomously manage patient health concerns. This study highlights their expanded role in primary care, improving patient access and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care
- Nursing Practice
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Inner-city general practice setting in 1983.
- Open access to a specially trained nurse practitioner.
- Study duration of six months.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the scope and autonomy of nurse practitioner practice.
- To analyze patient problem types and consultation outcomes.
- To assess the nurse practitioner's role in patient care.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of nurse practitioner consultations.
- Inclusion of 858 patients across all demographics.
- Analysis of 979 presented problems and consultation management.
Main Results:
- Majority of problems (60.4%) were 'Supplementary' (preventive, educational, social, administrative).
- Health education issues raised in 46.0% of consultations.
- Nurse practitioner managed over one-third of problems without referral.
Conclusions:
- Nurse practitioners demonstrated significant autonomy in patient care.
- Findings suggest a larger, more independent role for nurses in healthcare.
- Open access model facilitated appropriate patient utilization.