The prescribing practices of nurses who care for patients with skin conditions: a questionnaire survey.
J Clin Nurs
; 22(13-14): 2064-76, 2013 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23745649
ABSTRACT
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
To explore the practice of nurses who prescribe medication for patients with skin conditions.BACKGROUND:
Nurses have lead roles in dermatology services. In the United Kingdom, nurses in primary care frequently prescribe medicines for skin conditions, but there are concerns about role preparation and access to continuing professional development. The prescribing practices of nurse independent supplementary prescribers who care for patients with skin conditions are under-researched.DESIGN:
Cross-sectional survey.METHODS:
An online questionnaire was used to survey 186 nurses who prescribed for skin conditions from May-July 2010. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests.RESULTS:
The majority worked in primary care (78%) and general practice (111, 59.7%). Twenty (10.8%) had specialist modules (at diploma, degree or master's level), 104 (55.9%) had dermatology training (e.g. study days), 44 (23.7%) had no training, and a further 18 (9.6%) did not respond. Oral antibiotics, topical antifungal and antibacterial drugs were frequently prescribed. Nurses with specialist dermatology training used their qualification in a greater number of ways, prescribed the broadest range of products and prescribed more items per week. Over 70% reporting on continuing professional development had been able to access it.CONCLUSIONS:
A large number of nurses in primary care prescribe medicines for skin conditions and are involved in medicines management activities. Lack of specialist dermatology training is a concern and associated with lower prescribing-related activities. Access to dermatology training and continuing professional development are required to support nurse development in this area of practice and maximise benefits. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurse prescribers' involvement in medicines management activities has important implications in terms of improving access to services, efficiency and cost savings. To maximise their contribution, improved provision of specialist dermatology training is required. This will be of interest to education providers and service planners in the UK and countries around the world.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Prescrições de Medicamentos
/
Dermatopatias
/
Padrões de Prática em Enfermagem
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Clin Nurs
Assunto da revista:
ENFERMAGEM
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido