title: Potential roles for practice nurses in preventive care for young people - a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increasing numbers of practice nurses and their expanding roles in Australian general practice suggest they can contribute to quality primary healthcare for young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen health and community professionals and a purposefully selected group of 12 practice nurses were interviewed about the role of the practice nurse in young people's healthcare. A directed content approach to analysis was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants recognised the psychosocial health burdens young people experience and the barriers they perceive in accessing healthcare. With good communication skills and appropriate training, practice nurses were perceived to be able to have an important role in the preventive care of young people.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practice nurses can contribute to breaking down barriers to healthcare for young people. This study is being reported on at an opportune time, considering the implications for young people of the 'Practice Nurse Incentive Program'.
authors.affiliation: General Practice and Primary Health Care Academic Centre, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. caroline.hart@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Rhian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Kelsey
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hegarty
authors.forename: Lena A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sanci
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003142:Communication; D003219:Confidentiality; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D012309:Risk-Taking