The role of a nurse-clinician in joint practice with gynecologic oncologists

Increasing interest in nurse-physician collaborative practice resulted in a study proposing to profile a nurse-clinician in joint practice with gynecologic oncologists. The functions performed in the work setting and the undertaking of other activities in professional life are seen as the instrumental features of the nursing role. Nurses and physicians responded to a questionnaire related to nursing functions involving teaching, research, professional development and the independent and medically overlapping activities of patient care. Physicians indicated a perception of the nurse in a liaison role. Nurses perceived a strong obligation to perform functions relating to professional development. Psychosocially oriented care components ranked prominently in the perception of both groups. Data from the study suggests that the specialized nurse occupies an integrating role with physicians in meeting health care needs of patients. Implications from the findings are translated to the practical setting through a description of duties of the gynecologic oncology nurse.