Care by general practitioners and district nurses of patients receiving home nursing: a study from suburban Stockholm.
OBJECTIVE
To review the care by general practitioners (GPs), district nurses and assistant nurses of patients receiving home nursing.


METHODS
Retrospective data from questionnaires, records and official statistics. Statistical comparisons.


METHODS
Primary health care from October 1995 to October 1996.


METHODS
One-third (158) of all patients receiving home nursing in a suburban area were sampled; 73% (116) participated. All patients of comparable age in one practice served as a control group.


METHODS
Number of and reasons for visits and other contacts. Nature of care. Relation between patient problems and care given.


RESULTS
Most patients were seen by the nurses two to five times a month. They met their GPs less often than other patients. More measures were undertaken without direct contact between GP and patient. The most common measures concerned medication and the assessment of symptoms. Patients with cognitive problems seemed to get less active GP care.


CONCLUSIONS
GPs played an active role in the care of patients receiving home nursing even though they seldom met them. Many patients were regularly assessed by the nurses, which might have diminished the need for doctor visits. The care of patients with cognitive problems needs further study.
Modin
Sonja
S
Family Medicine Stockholm, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. sonja.modin@sspo.sll.se
Furhoff
Anna-Karin
AK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D035061:Control Groups; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006792:House Calls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019036:Suburban Health Services; D013383:Suburban Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014600:Utilization Review