Types of health problems and satisfaction with services in a rural nurse-managed clinic.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the satisfaction of clients with care provided in a rural nurse-managed health center by family nurse practitioners and to describe common health problems for which family nurse practitioner services were sought. The results indicated that of the 2,106 visits from a case load of 1,350 clients, acute health problems were the most common (95.7%), and chronic health problems were the least common (3.9%). Respiratory and ear infections were the most frequent acute illness (55%), and hypertension (29%), respiratory (27%), and musculoskeletal complaints (27%) were the most frequent chronic conditions. Children up to 6 years of age constituted the largest client population (30%), followed by young adults (23%). Older adults were the smallest numbers of clients (3%). Client satisfaction with nurse practitioner-managed care was highly rated by 97% (n = 101) of the subjects in a random sample telephone survey. The results suggested that family nurse practitioners were providing effective and satisfactory healthcare for this rural community. Issues for further investigation are also discussed.
Ramsey
P
P
College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614.
Edwards
J
J
Lenz
C
C
Odom
J E
JE
Brown
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006296:Health Services / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000191:economics; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D012423:Rural Health; D013714:Tennessee