Explain the Roles of nurse practitioners and family physicians in community health centres.Abstract Objective To describe the models of practice used by nurse practitioners (NPs) and FPs in community health centres (CHCs), and to examine the roles of NPs and FPs in these models.
Research Roles of nurse practitioners and family physicians in community health centres
Simone Dahrouge MSc PhD Laura Muldoon MD MPH CCFP FCFP Natalie Ward MSc PhD William Hogg MSc MClSc MD CM FCFP Grant Russell MB BS FRACGP MFM PhD Rebecca Taylor-Sussex MA
Abstract Objective To describe the models of practice used by nurse practitioners (NPs) and FPs in community health centres (CHCs), and to examine the roles of NPs and FPs in these models.
Design Cross-sectional study using an organizational survey completed by managers of the CHC sites, as well as administrative data on patient sociodemographic characteristics and encounter activities.
Setting A total of 21 CHCs (13 main sites and 8 satellite sites) operating in eastern Ontario during the period from December 1, 2006, to November 30, 2008.
Participants A total of 44 849 patients, 53 full-time equivalent FPs, and 41 full-time equivalent NPs.
Main outcome measures Family physicians and NPs models of practice, the sociodemographic characteristics and medical profiles of patients who were treated in each model of practice, and FPs and NPs use of time.
Results Patients were attributed to 1 of 3 models of practice in CHCs based on the proportion of visits to FPs and NPs: FP care (53% of patients), NP care (29%), and shared care (18%). Patients who received care in the NP model of practice were younger and more likely to be female, be homeless, and not have postsecondary education. Patients who received care in the FP model of practice had more complex medical conditions (cardiovascular disease, mental illness, lung disease, and diabetes) and more annual visits. Patients who received care in the shared care model had intermediate profiles. Nurse practitioners performed more off-site care and walk-in visits. Family physicians and NPs spent a similar proportion of time performing various duties such as direct clinical care and administration tasks.
Conclusion Although NPs mainly cared for their own patient panels (in the NP care model), they did share some patients with FPs and provide some care to patients under the FP model of practice. Patients who were cared for by FPs and NPs had quite different characteristics.
editors key points This study documented differences in patient profiles and care provision among the practice models of nurse practitioners (NPs) and FPs in 21 Ontario community health centres.
Nurse practitioners and FPs dedicated a similar proportion of their time to performing various face-to-face duties outside of the clinic but tended to be involved in different types of activities. Nurse practitioners provided more walk-in care and fewer same-day appointments than FPs did. Nurse practitioners also performed more street outreach functions. Nurse practitioner appointments were also slightly longer than FP appointments were. On-call services were considerably more likely to be covered by FPs than NPs.
Compared with FPs, NPs saw patient panels that were less medically complex but more socially complex.
This article has been peer reviewed. Can Fam Physician 2014;60:1020-7
Vol 60: noVember noVembre 2014 | Canadian Family Physician Le Mdecin de famille canadien 1021
Recherche
PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH NURSING TERM PAPERS TODAY AND GET AN AMAZING DISCOUNT
