Patient education: partnership in action

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The Richard Bright Renal Unit in Bristol, England, is a large facility serving a 1000-bed hospital.
• The unit covers a 60-mile radius, encompassing diverse geographical areas including rural farming communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the multifaceted role of a combined Patient Education Co-ordinator/Home Dialysis Nurse.
• To highlight the challenges and scope of practice in a large district general hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive account of the combined nursing role.
• Exploration of service delivery across a wide geographical area.

Main Results:

• The combined role integrates patient education and home dialysis nursing responsibilities.
• Service provision extends to patients in both urban and rural settings within the catchment area.

Conclusions:

• The combined role is crucial for comprehensive patient care in renal units.
• Effective coordination is necessary to manage patient education and home dialysis across extensive service areas.