The role of the nurse in the community-based treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
METHODS
A community-based treatment program for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Lima, Peru.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the activities carried out by the nurses working with the program.


METHODS
A qualitative study using a variety of ethnographic methods, including participant observation, focus groups, and key informant interviews over a 5-year period.


RESULTS
Nurses were responsible for carrying out a wide variety of activities within the program. These included patient-focused activities such as identifying patients, evaluating patients prior to starting and during therapy, and managing emergencies; educational activities for both patients and health professionals managing MDR-TB; and coordination activities, including over-seeing health workers and communicating between team members.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses play a key role in the community-based management of MDR-TB.
Palacios
E
E
Socios en Salud, Sucursal Peru, Carabayllo, Lima, Peru.
Guerra
D
D
Llaro
K
K
Chalco
K
K
Sapag
R
R
Furin
J
J
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010568:Peru; D011634:Public Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents