title: Primary care nursing activities with patients affected by physical chronic disease and common mental disorders: a qualitative descriptive study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe nursing activities in primary care with patients affected by physical chronic disease and common mental disorders.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Patients in primary care who are affected by physical chronic disease and common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression require care and follow-up based on their physical and mental health condition. Primary care nurses are increasingly expected to contribute to the care and follow-up of this growing clientele. However, little is known about the actual activities carried out by primary care nurses in providing this service in the Province of Quebec (Canada).
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data were obtained through semistructured individual interviews with 13 nurses practising among patients with physical chronic disease in seven Family Medicine Groups in Quebec (Canada).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants described five activity domains: assessment of physical and mental health condition, care planning, interprofessional collaboration, therapeutic relationship and health promotion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The full potential of primary care nurses is not always exploited, and some activities could be improved. Evidence for including nurses in collaborative care for patients affected by physical chronic disease and common mental disorders has been shown but is not fully implemented in Family Medicine Groups. Future research should emphasise collaboration among mental health professionals, primary care nurses and family physicians in the care of patients with physical chronic disease and common mental disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary care nurses would benefit from gaining more knowledge about common mental disorders and from identifying the resources they need to contribute to managing them in an interdisciplinary team.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Ariane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.affiliation: Faculté de médecine et de sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hudon
authors.affiliation: Faculté des sciences infirmières, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Marie-Eve
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Poitras
authors.affiliation: Faculté de médecine et de sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roberge
authors.affiliation: Département des sciences de la santé, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Maud-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chouinard
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D059017:Primary Care Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011792:Quebec
keywords: activities; common mental disorders; physical chronic disease; practice nurse; primary care