Patients' experience of integrated nursing care in general practices in Switzerland: a mixed-methods study

In many high-income countries, nurses, including registered nurses (RNs), play a key role in primary care (PC), particularly in general practice. Their involvement enhances patients' experiences, especially in terms of accessibility and comprehensiveness of care provided. To reinforce the provision of care and enhance patients' experience in family medicine, RNs were integrated into eight private general practices in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, creating interprofessional teams. This study assessed patients' experiences with new nursing activities in general practices.

A mixed-methods approach was used to assess patients' experiences. Quantitative data were collected through a patient experience survey conducted before and after nursing follow-up, with descriptive and bivariate analyses performed. Qualitative data were obtained from interviews with ten patients.

A total of 109 patients completed the questionnaire before and after nursing follow-up. Descriptive analyses showed that several dimensions of patients' experience improved with new nursing follow-up. Bivariate analyses revealed significant improvements in several areas, including unmet healthcare needs, accessibility to nursing care, preventive care, and information provided. Furthermore, patients reported positive changes in their health and lifestyle due to preventive care. Qualitative data supported these results, highlighting the importance of nurses' accessibility and availability and the holistic nursing care provided.

These findings highlight the potential of nurse-led case management to address gaps in PC delivery, particularly in managing chronic diseases. The integration of nurses into general practice settings improved the provision of preventive care, enhanced patient education, and increased accessibility to care.