Case-based learning improves the patient assessment skills of undergraduate nursing students, thereby preparing them for clinical practice.

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Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of lower limb chronic venous disease (CVD) diagnoses entered in a large electronic health record database in primary care in Catalonia, Spain; to investigate the reliability of these data for research purposes; and to estimate the prevalence and incidence of CVD, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and venous leg ulcer (VLU). Design Real‐world data analysis based on a large electronic health record database in primary care in Catalonia, Spain. Methods We used a primary care research database (Information System for the Development of Research in Primary Care [SIDIAP]), which contains anonymous data on some 5.8 million people from 279 primary care centers, accounting for more than 80% of the Catalonian population and 15% of the Spanish population. We evaluated the validity of the ICD‐10 codes for CVD in SIDIAP for 200 adult patients through the responses of 20 primary care physicians to a questionnaire. Findings The positive predictive value of CVD in SIDIAP was 89.95% (95% confidence interval [CI] 84.99–93.40). The prevalence rates for CVD, CVI, and VLU were 9.54% (95% CI 9.51–9.56), 3.87%, and 0.33%, respectively. The incidence rates for CVD, CVI, and VLU were 7.91/1,000 person‐years (95% CI 7.82–8.00), 3.37/1,000 person‐years (95% CI 3.31–3.43), and 0.23/1,000 person‐years (95% CI 0.21–0.24), respectively. Conclusions The Catalonian SIDIAP database contains valid CVD diagnoses. The prevalence and incidence rates found using real‐world data are low compared with those in the literature, possibly because CVD is an underdiagnosed entity. Clinical Relevance Real‐world data can inform clinicians on lower limb venous health in a population, show changes as individuals age, and reveal aspects where healthcare can be improved.

The response rate was 69.6% (87 nurses). Frequent nurse-prescribed medications were vaccinations (63.1%), topical antiseptics (60.7%) and antipyretics(44.8%); health-care supplies included supplies for diabetes (51.8%), wound care dressings (44.2%) and incontinence (26.7%). Respondents indicated that nurse prescription positively contributes to the profession and to its development.Conclusion Nurse prescribing exists in primary care in Spain, and formal legalization is in progress but awaits a consensus formulary. Nurses indicated that full legalization would increase professional autonomy and contribute positively to the profession, as an example of how policy can have an impact on practice.Implications for nursing management Spain’s experience with inconclusive shifts in the legal status of nurse prescribing may contribute to the discussion in countries where this professional practice is not yet established.

In this cross-sectional study, we explored course content related to pharmacology and/or healthcare products and supplies in all nursing degree programs in Spain. Changes in nurse-prescribing legislation in Spain require that nurses take a certification course before prescribing over-the-counter products and medications. Using a cross-sectional descriptive study, between July and September 2014, the degree programs of all centers that offer a degree in nursing in Spain were examined, selecting those with course information available online. All centers offered at least one pharmacology course. One-third of the required courses had content related to pharmacology and healthcare products/supplies. The analysis showed that the course content and training received during the current nursing degree program provides the knowledge and skills needed to prescribe healthcare products/supplies and medications that do not now require a doctor's prescription, without the need for additional training and certification. It is essential that government regulation of nursing education be aligned with nursing competencies, curriculum standards, clinical practice, and evidence-based research to provide the maximum level of confidence for nursing professionals and their patients.

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