The role of the nurse coordinator in spina bifida clinics.
There are numerous multidisciplinary spina bifida (SB) clinics (typically including urology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, developmental pediatrics, physiatry, nursing, social work, and physical and occupational therapy) throughout the U.S. Many SB clinics have a nurse coordinator. The coordinator's role is truly multifaceted. It goes far beyond coordinating the clinic visit in which patients and families are seen for care. The frequency of clinical visits varies from program to program, from a few hours once a month to a full day every week. This role encompasses many aspects of care for this complex patient population, which will be described.
Dunleavy
Mary Jo
MJ
Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mary.dunleavy@childrens.harvard.edu
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000451:nursing*; D014481:United States