TY - JOUR
T1 - Practice nurse involvement in general practice clinical care
T2 - Policy and funding issues need resolution
AU - Afzali, Hossein Haji Ali
AU - Karnon, Jonathan
AU - Beilby, Justin
AU - Gray, Jodi
AU - Holton, Christine
AU - Banham, David
PY - 2014/6/1
Y1 - 2014/6/1
N2 - In Australia, primary care-based funding initiatives have been implemented to encourage general practices to employ practice nurses. The aim of this paper is to discuss limitations of the current funding and policy arrangements in enhancing the clinical role of practice nurses in the management of chronic conditions. This paper draws on the results of a real-world economic evaluation, the Primary Care Services Improvement Project (PCSIP). The PCSIP linked routinely collected clinical and resource use data to undertake a risk-adjusted cost-effectiveness analysis of increased practice nurse involvement in clinical-based activities for the management of diabetes and obesity. The findings of the PCSIP suggested that the active involvement of practice nurses in collaborative clinical-based activities is cost-effective, as well as addressing general practice workforce issues. Although primary healthcare organisations (e.g. Medicare Locals) can play a key role in supporting enhanced practice nurse roles, improvements to practice nurse funding models could further encourage more efficient use of an important resource.
AB - In Australia, primary care-based funding initiatives have been implemented to encourage general practices to employ practice nurses. The aim of this paper is to discuss limitations of the current funding and policy arrangements in enhancing the clinical role of practice nurses in the management of chronic conditions. This paper draws on the results of a real-world economic evaluation, the Primary Care Services Improvement Project (PCSIP). The PCSIP linked routinely collected clinical and resource use data to undertake a risk-adjusted cost-effectiveness analysis of increased practice nurse involvement in clinical-based activities for the management of diabetes and obesity. The findings of the PCSIP suggested that the active involvement of practice nurses in collaborative clinical-based activities is cost-effective, as well as addressing general practice workforce issues. Although primary healthcare organisations (e.g. Medicare Locals) can play a key role in supporting enhanced practice nurse roles, improvements to practice nurse funding models could further encourage more efficient use of an important resource.
KW - Australia
KW - Chronic Disease
KW - Chronic Disease Therapy
KW - Cost-Benefit Analysis
KW - Financing Government
KW - General practice
KW - Nursing
KW - Education
KW - Health Policy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84902184479&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/AH13187
DO - 10.1071/AH13187
M3 - Article
C2 - 24870661
AN - SCOPUS:84902184479
SN - 0156-5788
VL - 38
SP - 301
EP - 305
JO - Australian Health Review
JF - Australian Health Review
IS - 3
ER -