Rheumatology outpatient nurse clinics: a valuable addition?
OBJECTIVE
"Transmural rheumatology nurse clinics," where nursing care is provided under the joint responsibility of a home care organization and a hospital, were recently introduced into Dutch health care. This article gives insight into outcomes of the transmural rheumatology nurse clinics.


METHODS
Patients with rheumatologic conditions who attended a transmural nurse clinic, in addition to receiving regular care, were compared with patients with rheumatologic conditions who received regular care only. The main outcome measures were the need for rheumatology-related information, the use of aids and adaptations, the use of health care services, and daily functioning.


RESULTS
Attending a transmural nurse clinic does not influence patients' need for information, the application of practical aids and adaptations, or daily functioning. However, attending a transmural nurse clinic does result in more contacts with rheumatologists and occupational therapists.


CONCLUSIONS
Attending transmural nurse clinics does not result in major differences in outcomes compared with regular care. Further studies are needed to appreciate the long-term effects of transmural nurse clinics.
Temmink
D
D
Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht.
Hutten
J B
JB
Francke
A L
AL
Rasker
J J
JJ
Abu-Saad
H H
HH
van der Zee
J
J
D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D010045:Outpatients; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome