GPs' perceptions of the nurse practitioner role in primary care.
The role of nurse practitioner (NP) is increasingly integrated into the primary healthcare team, yet there remains some confusion among general practitioners about what the role entails. Following on from previous work (Carr et al, 2001), this study indicates that the majority of GPs surveyed were supportive of the integration of the NP role in primary care, both to help reduce the GPs' workload and more importantly to give the patient a choice of who to consult. However, there was some difference in opinion as to what tasks were most appropriately linked to the NP role. This may be due to the GPs' lack of knowledge and experience of the role. There were also some reservations about the financial cost of training and employing NPs. If the health needs of the population are to be met and high quality, seamless care provided, the NP could provide a solution.
School of Nursing, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Jacqui
J
Carr
Sarah
S
Armstrong
Beverley
B
Hancock
Jane
J
Bethea
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D019035:Rural Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services; D016526:Workload