Nurse-led consultations
Over the last decade there has been an expansion in the role of
nurses in the management of respiratory diseases. A pilot study
investigating the role of nurses providing respiratory care revealed
that nurses were involved in the delivery of the majority (68%) of
long-term respiratory disease management, primarily for asthma and
COPD. 7 The results of a survey conducted in 2006 describing nurseled COPD clinics in general practice in the UK demonstrated that a
large percentage of nurses in an advanced role recommended both
pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, and
autonomously provided follow-up care and confirmed diagnosis via
spirometry. 8
Studies evaluating the impact of nurse-led care in the
management of various chronic diseases revealed that nurses and
doctors generated similar health outcomes for patients.9-12 Similarly,
studies in both acute and chronic care settings have shown that care
provided by nurses is as safe as that provided by doctors. 10,11,13 In
addition, the systematic review by Horrocks et al. reported higher
patient satisfaction with nurse-delivered care compared with care
provided by doctors. 13 In particular, patients were given significantly
more advice about self-management and self-medication during
nurse consultations. More recently, a study involving Danish nurses
delivering consultations to patients after cancer surgery identified
one of the reasons for increased patient satisfaction in the continuity
of care which is at the core of the nursing profession