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Background

When thinking of general practice, the perception is often that of a doctor working in his/her consulting room with an individual patient.   However, the reality in Australia is quite different.   General practices are now better thought of as primary health care teams that provide a variety services in a myriad of ways, and practice nurses are playing an increasingly important role.   This has been recognised at a governmental level with several initiatives to expand the roles of nurses in delivering primary health care, through general practice.   While evidence suggests there is value in using the skills and knowledge of practice nurses (PNs), and that they engage in a variety of roles, relatively little research has been conducted on this subject and these initiatives. The precise value and role(s) of practice nurses requires elucidation.  

Project aims

This project will deliver a more detailed understanding of the processes and practices of general practice nurses, with particular reference to the local, individual and structural factors that influence the success or failure of their work.   It will also establish the ways in which practice nurses contribute to the overall safety and quality of general practice services.   Ultimately, the project will facilitate and describe the introduction of new models of practice nursing in several demonstration sites.

Project partners

This project is funded by the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute ( APHCRI ) for three years, commencing July 2005.   An explicit part of our contract is to cultivate teamwork and partnerships among the academic, policy and practice areas of the health care system.   The project is the joint responsibility of the Australian General Practice Network ( AGPN ) and the Academic Unit of General Practice, ANU Medical School.  

Method

Phase 1             Mapping (1 year)

We will gather detailed information on practice nurses using a rapid appraisal technique (RAT).   This is a relatively new method of data collection in primary care, which combines non-participant observation, interviews and document review in a concentrated period of time.   It is specifically designed to minimise interference in the daily running of the participating general practices.  

Phase 2             Change management (2 years)

We will assist demonstration practices to develop new ways of working with PNs.   By the end of the project the value PNs bring to the practice will be maximised by focusing their activities on integration, clinical care, practice management, and clinical organisation, according to the needs of each general practice.   Our intention is that the change will be incremental and low-cost, and thus provide a model for other practices that wish to enjoy the same benefits.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE PROJECT TEAM:

Email : agpns@anu.edu.au

Phone +61 (0)2 6244 4952 or +61 (0)2 4822 9021