One of the most important elements of the DMPs was the assignment of patients to one specific care provider of a collaborative practice team, consisting of a general practitioner (GP), nurse specialist and medical specialist, as based on complexity of care. Patients with low complexity of care were taken care of by the GP, patients with medium complexity of care received care from the nurse spe...

OBJECTIVE To establish the feasibility and safety of an appropriately trained clinical nurse specialist performing diagnostic cardiac catheterisation. DESIGN Non-randomised retrospective comparison between the first 100 and second 100 consecutive investigations by a clinical nurse specialist and 200 consecutive patients investigated by two cardiology registrars over a similar period. SETTIN...

Nurse developments in the management of neuroendocrine tumours have changed significantly over the past three years. At the Royal Free Hospital we set up the nurse specialist role due to the expansion of patients being referred to the specialist unit, and the obvious need for a nursing input into their care. The nurse specialist can make a significant contribution within the context of a multid...

There is currently a wide variation in the level of service provided for patients with epilepsy across the UK. Evidence is becoming available to suggest that improvements in local service provision may be achieved through the intervention of a specialist nurse. Using practical examples, this article explores the roles of the epilepsy specialist nurse, and examines how they may benefit patients ...

In an experimental clinic, run by nurse specialists in family planning, a total of 768 patients were seen in the first year. Oral contraception was dispensed for 377 patients and 187 intrauterine devices (IUCDs) were inserted; a further 204 IUCD patients attended only for follow-up visits. All side effects were adequately diagnosed by the nurse specialist.

The benefits of a specialist epilepsy nurse in the management of people with epilepsy are still in question. Evidence from controlled clinical trials suggests that patients supported by a nurse specialist are well informed and have a high degree of satisfaction. However, no significant effect on health status or the number of seizures has been yet demonstrated, although this is not the primary ...

METHOD A survey of gerontological content in nursing and social work programs across Canada (English speaking) was conducted. The survey tool was the competencies list developed for interprofessional gerontological education by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE). Deans or designates of English-speaking nursing and social work programs across Canada were contacted by e-ma...