How changes in GPs' ways of working have affected community nurses: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Primary Care Medicine
• Nursing Studies
• Palliative Care Research

Background:

• Investigates the impact of primary care changes, including remote working and team diversification (physician associates, paramedics), on community nurses.
• Highlights a gap in understanding how these shifts affect community nurses' delivery of patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore community nurses' experiences with delivering palliative care.
• Examines the influence of general practitioners' (GPs) evolving work practices on community nursing.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing focus groups conducted via Zoom with community nurses in the UK.
• Thematic analysis using constant comparison was applied to the collected data.

Main Results:

• Community nurses reported role expansion in palliative care, experiencing both satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
• Dissatisfaction stemmed from remote communication hindering GP collaboration and increased workload due to perceived inadequate remote GP care.
• Workforce diversification led to concerns about lacking essential 'GP back-up' when home visits were delegated.

Conclusions:

• Changes in GP working methods impact community nurses, affecting collaboration and support structures.
• Policymakers and commissioners need to assess the wider consequences of primary care changes on the entire healthcare ecosystem, not just internal team dynamics.