Establishing a minor illness nurse in a busy general practice. |
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Authors: | G. N. Marsh M. L. Dawes |
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Affiliation: | Norton Medical Centre, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland. |
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Abstract: | OBJECTIVE--To study the feasibility of a practice nurse caring for patients with minor illnesses. DESIGN--Nurse given training in dealing with patients with minor illnesses. Patients requesting a same day appointment were offered a nurse consultation. SETTING--Group practice in Stockton on Tees. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Number of consultations which required a doctor contact, treatment, and rate of reconsultation. RESULTS--Of 696 consultations in six months, 602 (86%) required no doctor contact. 549 (79%) patients did not reconsult about the episode of illness, and 343 (50%) patients were given advice on self care only. CONCLUSION--Trained nurses could diagnose and treat a large proportion of patients currently consulting general practitioners about minor illness provided that the nurse has immediate access to a doctor. |
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