Primary care patterns among dual eligibles with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

BACKGROUND: Primary care is essential for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Prior research suggests that the propensity to provide high-quality, continuous primary care varies by provider setting, but the settings used by Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligibles with ADRD have not been described at the population level. METHODS: Using 2012-2018 Medicare data, we identified dual-eligibles with ADRD. For each person-year, we identified primary care visits occurring in six settings. We calculated descriptive statistics for beneficiaries with a majority of visits in each setting, and conducted a k-means cluster analysis to determine utilization patterns, using the standardized count of primary care visits in each setting. RESULTS: Each year from 2012 to 2018, at least 45.6% of dual-eligibles with ADRD received a majority of their primary care in nursing facilities, while at least 25.2% did so in physician offices. Over time, the share relying on nursing facilities for primary care decreased by 5.2 percentage points, offset by growth in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and miscellaneous settings (2.3 percentage points each). Dual-eligibles relying on nursing facilities had more annual primary care visits (16.1) than those relying on other settings (range: 6.8-10.7 visits). Interpersonal care continuity was also higher in nursing facilities (97.0%) and physician offices (87.9%) than in FQHCs (54.2%), rural health clinics (RHCs, 46.6%), or hospital-based clinics (56.8%). Among dual-eligibles without care continuity, 82.7% were assigned to a cluster with few primary care visits. CONCLUSIONS: A trend toward care in different settings likely reflects improved access to patient-centered primary care. Low rates of interpersonal care continuity in FQHCs, RHCs, and physician offices may warrant concern, unless providers in these settings function as a care team. Nonetheless, every healthcare system encounter presents an opportunity to designate a primary care provider for dual-eligibles with ADRD who use little or no primary care.

[Patients on oral anticancer drugs and coordinated pathway: CHIMORAL, feedback from care providers]. / Patients sous anticancéreux oraux et parcours coordonné : CHIMORAL, retour des acteurs de soins.

INTRODUCTION: Oral anticancer drugs have raised the question of how to follow-up these patients and how to coordinate this follow-up. The CHIMORAL study evaluated the involvement of primary care providers and a coordination by territorial health networks. Training/information tools were provided, as well as weekly nursing follow-up at home. METHODS: The operational feasibility of this model was assessed through a qualitative/quantitative analysis of territorial health network intervention and feedback from primary care providers. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty four patients received coordinated care, with nursing follow-up for 89% of them (average 6.3 weeks). One in three nurses, one in five pharmacists and one in ten doctors used the tools provided, 41% of which were used for training and 16% for the management of an adverse event. The main reasons for using the networks concerned adverse effects (34%) and came mainly from nurses (45%) and patients and their relatives (47%). Patients felt safe, with more responsive management. DISCUSSION: This intervention has strengthened the networks' links with primary care providers. The use of the community-based care system for adverse events was more frequent, with improved detection and patient awareness, with no observed impact on compliance. A proposed evolution is to maintain an in-home assessment for all patients and to define a frequency and duration of follow-up according to the patient's profile.

How State Scope-of-Practice Policies Impact NP Care.

Three projects examine the effect of NP practice acts on access to health care.

Engagement in primary health care nurses: A cross-sectional study in a Brazilian city.

OBJECTIVE: Professional engagement is an indicator of the relationship between a nurse and the work environment and is an important factor in performance and productivity. The goal of this study was to evaluate levels of engagement among nurses in primary health care units. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a city of São Paulo state, Brazil, in 2017, using an instrument containing sociodemographic variables and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). RESULTS: In the sample of 75 nurses, the majority were female (94.7%), aged between 29 and 39 (52.0%), specialists (81.3%), married (57.3%), permanent employees (68.0%), working 40 hr per week (98.7%), and working in primary health care for 3-10 years (42.7%). Engagement levels were classified as high in all dimensions. Nurses who worked as managers presented a very high level of dedication; professionals aged 40 years or older presented very high levels in all dimensions (Dedication: 5.2; Absorption: 5.0; Vigor: 5.3; and Overall score: 5.1); and professionals with more than 10 years of experience in primary health care had very high levels in all dimensions (Dedication: 5.0; Absorption: 5.0; Vigor: 5.0; and Overall score: 5.0). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses working in Brazil's primary health care system have high engagement and ability to act; they enhance team performance and quality and effectiveness of care provided.

Measurement and Validation of Primary Care Nursing Indicators Based on a Wound Care Tracer Condition.

BACKGROUND: Access to both valid and reliable nursing-sensitive indicators is currently limited in primary care. PURPOSE: The objectives were to (1) measure primary care nursing indicators using a wound care tracer condition and (2) study the associations between process and outcome indicators. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study in an ambulatory care clinic in Quebec, Canada. The sample included 482 episodes of care. We studied 5 indicators related to processes and 3 to outcomes. RESULTS: Performance levels were moderately high for indicators of initial assessment and duration and low for those of continuity and education. Associations between nursing follow-up and continuity indicators and 3 outcome indicators were highly significant. CONCLUSION: Continuity and nursing follow-up are associated with improved outcomes. Increasing these indicators' performance level can improve both nursing processes and patient outcomes.

Competences of specialist nurses and advanced practice nurses. / Competencias en enfermeras Especialistas y en Enfermeras de Práctica Avanzada.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the distribution of advanced competences in specialist nurses and advanced practice nurses and to evaluate their association with some characteristics of their professional profile. METHOD: Multicentre analytical cross-sectional study. Nurses who worked as advanced practice nurses and specialist nurses were included. Their level of perceived advanced competences was measured, as well as sociodemographic and professional characterization variables. RESULTS: A total of 277 nurses participated (149 practised as advanced practice nurses and 128 as specialists), with an average of 13.88 (11.05) years as a specialist and 10.48 (5.32) years as an advanced practice nurse. In the sample, 28.8% had a master's or doctorate level qualification, 50.2% worked in Primary Care, 24.9% in hospitals and 22.7% in Mental Health. The self-perceived global level was high in the different competences, the lowest dimensions being research, evidence-based practice, quality and safety management and leadership and consulting. The advanced practice nurses obtained a higher level of competence globally and in the dimensions of leadership and consulting, interprofessional relations, care management, and health promotion. There were no differences based on experience or possession of a master's degree or doctorate. In the advanced practice nurses, the practice context did not influence competence levels, although in the specialist nurses it did, in favour of those practicing in Mental Health. CONCLUSIONS: Specialist and advanced practice nurses have different competences that should be adequately managed for the development of advanced and specialist nursing services.

Knowledge and attitude towards mental illness among primary healthcare nurses in Brunei: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Mental Health problems are one of the leading disabilities worldwide. Individuals seeking help for their mental illness expect nurses to be cognisant of their needs without prejudice and discrimination. Existing evidences suggest a growing number of patient referral from primary healthcare to psychiatric consultations. This study aimed to explore primary healthcare nurses' knowledge and attitude towards mental illness and people with mentally illness. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using the Mental Health Problem Perception and the Community Attitudes to Mental Illness questionnaires. Descriptive and multivariate regression using maximum likelihood procedures were applied. RESULTS: Regression analysis showed significantly high correlation between knowledge and authotarianism (ß = 0.775, p = 0.007) and moderate inverse correlation with social restrictiveness (ß = -0.517, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation with benevolence (ß = -0.057, p = 0.181) was detected. Nurses with higher educational level were significantly associated with authotarianism attitude. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study examining knowledge and attitude of primary healthcare nurses in Brunei. The relationship between the study variables as well as demographic factors, in comparison to other countries, were discussed. Overall, negative attitude among nurses is still a challenging issue; therefore, developing re-education initiatives and increase contact time, especially for healthcare front liners with negative attitudes regardless of education level, to favour change of attitude, is important to foster holistic care to people with mental illness and promote mental health in the population.

Feelings of pleasure of nurses working in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: identify the sources that generate feelings of pleasure at work in the perception of primary care nurses. METHODS: this is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, developed with eleven nurses working in Primary Health Care Units. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, systematized and analyzed using Bardin's content analysis technique and based on the theoretical framework of Psychodynamics of Work. RESULTS: pleasure at work was related to the resolubility of the nurse's work, interpersonal relationship with the team, therapeutic relationship with the community, positive professional return, identification with work in nursing and public health. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The factors that generate feelings of pleasure may contribute to guide actions that value the optimization of the nurses' work and, consequently, the care provided to the primary care user.

Feelings of pleasure of nurses working in primary care / Sentimientos de placer de las enfermeras que trabajan en la atención primaria / Sentimentos de prazer no trabalho das enfermeiras na atenção básica

ABSTRACT Objective: identify the sources that generate feelings of pleasure at work in the perception of primary care nurses. Methods: this is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, developed with eleven nurses working in Primary Health Care Units. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, systematized and analyzed using Bardin's content analysis technique and based on the theoretical framework of Psychodynamics of Work. Results: pleasure at work was related to the resolubility of the nurse's work, interpersonal relationship with the team, therapeutic relationship with the community, positive professional return, identification with work in nursing and public health. Final considerations: The factors that generate feelings of pleasure may contribute to guide actions that value the optimization of the nurses' work and, consequently, the care provided to the primary care user.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar las fuentes que generan sensaciones de placer en el trabajo en la percepción del personal de enfermería de atención primaria. Método: se trata de un estudio descriptivo con un abordaje cualitativo, desarrollado con once enfermeras que trabajan en las Unidades de Atención Primaria de Salud. Los datos se recogieron mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas, se sistematizaron y analizaron utilizando la técnica de análisis de contenido de Bardin y se basaron en el marco teórico de la Psicodinámica del Trabajo. Resultados: el placer en el trabajo estaba relacionado con la resolución del trabajo de la enfermera, la relación interpersonal con el equipo, la relación terapéutica con la comunidad, el retorno profesional positivo, la identificación con el trabajo en la enfermería y en la salud pública. Consideraciones finales: los factores que generan sensaciones de placer pueden contribuir a orientar acciones que valoren la optimización del trabajo de las enfermeras y, en consecuencia, la atención al usuario de la atención primaria.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar as fontes geradoras de sentimentos de prazer no trabalho na percepção de enfermeiras da atenção básica. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido com onze enfermeiras atuantes em Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, sistematizados e analisados utilizando-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo de Bardin e fundamentada no referencial teórico da Psicodinâmica do Trabalho. Resultados: O prazer no trabalho foi relacionado à resolutividade do trabalho do enfermeiro, relacionamento interpessoal com a equipe, relacionamento terapêutico com a comunidade, retorno profissional positivo, identificação com o trabalho na enfermagem e na saúde pública. Considerações finais: Os fatores geradores de sentimentos de prazer podem contribuir para orientar ações que prezem pela otimização do trabalho dos enfermeiros e, por conseguinte, do cuidado prestado ao usuário do serviço da atenção básica.

Primary care doctor and nurse utilisation rates for billed consultations across the Comprehensive Care Primary Health Organisation.

AIM: To examine socio-demographic trends in doctor and nurse utilisation rates for invoiced consultations across Comprehensive Care Primary Health Organisation (PHO). METHOD: De-identified enrolled patient information and Service Utilisation Reporting data for invoiced consultations were extracted from all general practices for January 2013-December 2016. Utilisation rates were calculated using the number of enrolled patients as the denominator. RESULTS: Data for 3,657,873 invoiced consultations across 66 general practices were analysed, including 2,941,624 doctor and 716,249 nurse consultations. Average utilisation rates were 3.1 visits per patient year for doctors and 0.7 visits for nurses, with considerable variability between practices. Utilisation rates were higher for females (3.3 visits for doctors; 0.8 for nurses), older adults (5.0-6.9; 1.3-1.6 visits) and patients residing in the most socially deprived quintile (3.3; 1.6 visits). European patients had the highest doctor utilisation rates (3.2 visits), while Maori and Pacific patients had the highest nurse utilisation rates (1.1 and 1.3 visits, respectively). CONCLUSION: Females, older adults and people residing in socially deprived areas utilise primary care more frequently according to invoiced consultation data. Analysis of all other consultations, including immunisations, Accident Corporation Claims and non-billed services is needed to more accurately capture utilisation rates, particularly for nurses, to better inform national decision-making, workforce planning and funding assumptions.

Knowledge and perceptions of Indian primary care nurses towards mental illness.

OBJECTIVES: To assess nurses' knowledge and perceptions towards mental illness. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 126 randomly selected nurses those are working under District Mental Health program in Karnataka (India). The data was collected through self-reported questionnaires Using the modified version of Public perception of mental illness questionnaire and Attitude Scale for Mental Illness. RESULTS: The findings revealed that majority of the subjects were women (74.4%), Hindus (92.1%) and were from rural background (69.8%). The mean Knowledge score 10.8±1.6 adequate knowledge (maximum possible =12) among 91% of the subjects, and 52% of them hold negative attitudes towards people with mental illness (88.9±13.6). While majority of the subjects hold negative attitudes in 'Separatism' (53.5%), 'Stereotyping' (73%), 'Benevolence' (54%), 'Pessimistic prediction' (53%) domains, they hold positive attitudes in 'Restrictiveness' (88%) and 'Stigmatization' (72%) domains. Women than men endorsed positive attitudes towards persons with mental illness in Stereotyping' (p<0.001), 'Restrictiveness' (p<0.01), 'Benevolence' (p<0.001) and 'Pessimistic prediction' (t= 2.22, p<0.05) domains. Similarly, Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery found to be less restrictive (p<0.05), more benevolent (p<0.001) and less pessimistic (p<0.05) compared to nurses with higher education (General Nursing and Midwifery and Bachelor of Science in Nursing). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed adequate knowledge on mental illness among nurses. Yet they hold stigmatizing and negative attitudes towards mental illness. Hence, it is an urgent priority to develop and implement educational programs to inculcate positive attitudes towards people with mental illness to provide optimal care to this vulnerable population.

Adaption, benefit and quality of care associated with primary nursing in an acute inpatient setting: A cross-sectional descriptive study.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the adoption of primary nursing and to determine the quality of primary nurse-led care in an acute inpatient setting. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. METHODS: Participants included inpatients (N = 369) and nurses (N = 381). To assess adoption of primary nursing, patient records were analysed and an online survey of nurses was conducted from May-June 2017. To measure quality of nursing care, a structured questionnaire was administered to inpatients. RESULTS: Patients reported high quality of individualized, responsive and proficient care, but lower levels of coordinated care. Most nurses agreed that primary nursing is beneficial for person-centred caring. However, only two-thirds found that it was practiced on their unit and only half of care planning activities were attributable to primary nurses. CONCLUSION: While perceived as beneficial, adoption of primary nursing in clinical practice remains partial. Hence, primary nursing may not be enough to ensure continuity and coordination of acute care.

Prevalence, awareness, control and determinants of hypertension among primary health care professional nurses in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

BACKGROUND:  Nurses in primary health care settings are key stakeholders in the diagnosis and management of hypertensive patients. Unfortunately, the working conditions of nurses predispose them to stress, long hours of work, shift duties and unhealthy diets, which are drivers of hypertension. Yet nurses are often overlooked in health screening exercises, primarily because they are assumed to be informed and 'healthy'. AIM:  This study examined the prevalence, awareness, control and determinants of hypertension among professional primary health care nurses in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. SETTING:  This was a cross-sectional survey of 203 professional nurses working at 41 primary health care facilities of the Eastern Cape Province. METHODS:  A modified WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used for data collection during face-to-face interviews. The information obtained included demographic information, behavioural lifestyles, anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measurements. Hypertension is defined as an average of two BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or self-reported history of antihypertensive medication use. RESULTS:  The prevalence of hypertension was 52%. Of this, 41% were unaware of their hypertension status. Of those who were aware and on treatment, only 38.1% had a controlled blood pressure. After adjusting for confounders (for physical activity, dietary practices, parity, income and alcohol use), only age and duration of practice were independent predictors of hypertension among the study population. CONCLUSION:  There is a high prevalence of hypertension among the study participants. There is an unexpected low rate of awareness and suboptimal control of blood pressure among the participants. Age is the significant predictor of hypertension among professional nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. There is an urgent need for the implementation of an effective workplace health programme for nurses in the province.

An estimation of staffing requirements in primary care in Oman using the Workload Indicators of Staffing Needs method.

BACKGROUND: Oman is a high-income country having a relatively small population scattered over large sparsely populated areas. This presents challenges to the provision of health services. It is important to ensure that all health facilities at all levels of care have the right number and skills mix of health workers to deliver quality health care. AIMS: The main aim was to develop national staffing norms to ensure adequate numbers, appropriate skills mix and equitable distribution of health professionals in primary health care (PHC) using the workload indicators of staffing needs (WISN) method. METHODS: All types of PHC services were itemized (promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative and support services). We used 2014 data from the health information system and the human resources management information system to develop staffing norms using the WISN method. First we set the norms based on the national average for the activity standards, then simulated the norms in Muscat governorate, which has 32% of the population. RESULTS: We calculated the required numbers of GPs and specialists for PHC centres providing core as well as core and supplementary services and the expected annual outpatient attendance. The simulation showed that doctors were less workload stressed (WISN ratio 1.02) than nurses (WISN ratio 0.66) on average, although some variations between health centres were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Additional parameters (e.g. planned new services; local disease profile; change in health policies) may be added in future to re-adjust the calculation method once the health services mapping and human resources for health profiles for each governorate is completed.

Using the behavior change wheel to identify barriers to and potential solutions for primary care clinical guideline use in four provinces in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines risk having little impact on healthcare if not effectively implemented. Theory informed, targeted implementation may maximise their impact. Our study explored barriers to and facilitators of guideline implementation and use by South African primary care nurses and allied healthcare workers in four provinces in South Africa. We also proposed interventions to address the issues identified. METHODS: We used qualitative research methods, comprising focus group discussions using semi-structured topic guides. Seven focus group discussions were conducted (48 providers) in four South African provinces (Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo). Participants included mostly nurses, dieticians, dentists, and allied health practitioners, from primary care facilities in rural and peri-urban settings. The analysis proceeded in three phases. Firstly, two analysts conducted inductive thematic content analysis to develop themes of data. This was followed by fitting emergent themes to the Theoretical Domains Framework and finally to the associated Behaviour Change Wheel to identify relevant interventions. RESULTS: Participants are knowledgeable about guidelines, generally trust their credibility and are receptive and motivated to use them. Guidelines are seen by nurses to provide confidence and reassurance, as well as professional authority and independence where doctors are scarce. Barriers to guideline use include: inadequate systems for printed book distribution, insufficient and substandard photocopies, linguistic inappropriateness (e.g. complicated language, lack of summaries, unavailable in local languages), unsupportive auditing procedures, limited involvement of end-users in guideline development, and patchy training that may not filter back to all providers. Future aspirations identified include: improving the design features of guidelines, accessible places to find guidelines, making digitally-formatted versions available, more supplementary materials (e.g. posters) to support patient engagement, accessible clinical support following training, and in-facility training for all professional cadres to ensure fair access, similar levels of capability and interdisciplinary consistency. CONCLUSIONS: South African primary care nurses and allied health practitioners have high levels of motivation to use guidelines, but face many systemic barriers. We used the Behaviour Change Wheel to suggest relevant, implementable interventions addressing identified barriers. This theory-informed approach may improve clinical guideline implementation and impact healthcare for South Africa.

Resources to handle childhood asthma in Spain: The role of plans and guides and the participation of nurses.

BACKGROUND: Describe the assistance provided to asthmatic patients by Primary Care Paediatricians (PCP) in Spain and the material and human resources available for diagnosis and follow-up. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study using an on-line survey, sent to PCP regarding the availability of diagnostic resources, carrying out programmed and educational activities, collaboration of nursing staff and their relationship with existing institutional plans to care for children with asthma. A latent class model (LCM) was used to describe the differences among paediatricians based on the variables studied. RESULTS: Of the 708 answers, 675 were considered valid; 76% of the paediatricians had a spirometer, 75% specific IgE, 17% prick-test, 95% had placebo inhalers and 97% inhalation chambers. 57% performed programmed activities with their patients, while 56% shared their care of asthmatic patients with their nursing staff, but only 25% of the nurses were involved in the follow-up and 12% in education. LCM identified four patterns. The two groups with greater access to diagnostic resources counted on institutional plans/guidelines. However, the only variable differentiating the groups with more programmed and educational activities was the participation of nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of asthma plans/guidelines and resources for diagnosis and follow-up is not sufficient to improve important aspects of primary care for children with asthma. Organisational changes are necessary to include programmed asthma-related visits and paediatric teams with greater involvement of the nurses when caring for these patients.

Factors associated with final year nursing students' desire to work in the primary health care setting: Findings from a national cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Registered nurses are under-represented in the primary health care setting both internationally and in Australia, and this shortage is predicted to worsen. To address the increasingly complex healthcare needs of an ageing population, it is vital to develop and sustain a primary health care nursing workforce, yet attracting nurses is challenging. In Australia, registered nurses graduating from university typically commence their careers in hospital-based transition to professional practice programs. Similar programs in primary health care settings may be a valuable strategy for developing the primary health care nursing workforce, yet little is known about nursing students desire to work in this setting, factors that influence this, or their expectations of primary health care-focused transition to professional practice programs. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify factors associated with final year nursing students' desire to work in primary health care setting including demographic factors, expectations of future employment conditions, and job content. It also explored expectations of graduate transition programs based in primary health care. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design comprising a quantitative online survey. SETTING: 14 Australian universities from all states/territories, both rural and urban. PARTICIPANTS: 530 final-year nursing students. METHODS: Binary logistic regression identifying factors contributing to desire to work in primary health care. RESULTS: The desire of nursing students to work in primary health care is associated with older age, greater perceived value of employment conditions including flexibility, and less perceived importance of workplace support. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative efforts from primary health care nurses, health professionals, academics and policy makers are needed to attract new graduate nurses to primary health care.

Is health care payment reform impacting nurses' work settings, roles, and education preparation?

This study explores nurses' work settings and educational preparation in the five years before passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and five years after ACA passage, with the aim of identifying areas for nurse educators' attention. The study setting was one small state undergoing rapid transition away from fee-for-service service and thus provided the ideal laboratory to assess the impact of health reform on the nursing workforce. A secondary analysis of data gathered during relicensure compared the nursing workforce at an interval of one decade, with surveys in 2005 (n=4075; 65% response rate) and in 2015 (n=6723; 97% response rate). Findings demonstrated an increase in the proportion of nurses who reported working in ambulatory care and community settings (p=0.001). However, there was no associated decrease in the proportion of nurses who reported working in hospitals. Among respondents who reported employment in the ambulatory care/community settings in 2005, 34.3% had a BSN or higher, a proportion that increased to 41.2% in 2015 (p=0.010); nevertheless, the greatest proportional increase was among AD prepared nurses (34% to 48%). Although new nursing roles emerging as a result of health reform offer baccalaureate nurses the opportunity use the full complement of their knowledge and skills, these data suggest that BS prepared nurses are not fully accessing these opportunities. Implications for nursing education and further research are detailed.