The views of patients with diabetes about nurse prescribing

Abstract

Aims To explore the views of patients with diabetes about nurse prescribing and the perceived advantages and disadvantages.Methods Patients were recruited from the case-loads of seven nurse prescribers in six National Health Service sites in England. Sites reflected the key settings in which nurses typically prescribe for patients with diabetes within primary care. Forty-one interviews were undertaken by trained qualitative researchers. Interviews addressed opinions and experiences of nurse prescribing; audiotapes were transcribed, coded, and themes identified.Results Patients were confident in nurse prescribing. Distinctions were made between the role of the nurse and that of the doctor, and views varied with regard to the extent patients felt nurses should work autonomously. Confidence in nurse prescribing was inspired by nurses' specialist knowledge and experience, a mutual trusting relationship, a thorough consultation, and experience of the benefits of nurse prescribing. Communication between nurses and doctors about patient care, awareness by nurses of their area of competence, training and experience, specialist diabetes knowledge and access to training updates were considered important for safe prescribing. Patterns of attendance had changed in some cases, with patients tending to see doctors less often. Access to medicines was improved for patients during non-routine ⁄ emergency situations.Conclusions Nurse prescribing is acceptable to patients and can increase the efficiency of diabetes service in primary care. Workforce planners need to include the services of nurse prescribers alongside those of doctors.

Consultations between nurse prescribers and patients with diabetes in primary care: A qualitative study of patient views

“…Findings relating to patients' opinions about nurse prescribing in relation to diabetes are reported elsewhere (Courtenay 2010). …”

Učešće medicinskih sestara u rješavanju akutnih komplikacija dijabetesa

“…Dijabetes melitus se označava kao grupa metaboličkih bolesti, koje se karakterišu hiperglikemijom nastalom zbog defekta u sekreciji insulina i/ili defekta u njegovom dejstvu [1]. Naglašava se pri tome da je tokom trajanja bolesti hronična hiperglikemija udružena sa pojavom oštećenja različitih organa.…”

“…Značajno je napomenuti da uprkos sve većem napretku u prevenciji i liječenju ove bolesti ona ima tendenciju rasta, a naročito u razvijenim zemljama [1]. Za pojavu šećerne bolesti stavljen je veliki akcenat na faktore koji prate savremeni tempo života, ali ni u kom slučaju ne smijemo zanemariti gnetsku predispoziciju za nastajanje i ispoljavanje ove bolesti [2].…”

Working with non-medical prescribers

“…5,6 The predicted benefits of the adoption of the prescribing role by nurses have been achieved. [5][6][7] In general practice, it is clear that, by developing working relationships with individual nurse prescribers, GPs confidence in nurse prescribing is strengthened. 8 GPs working alongside nurse prescribers report that they know their nursing colleagues well and are confident in their ability to make prescribing decisions, especially in their management of longterm conditions.…”