Development of a student nurse practitioner computerized clinical log.

A computerized clinical log was developed and revised over a period of three semesters by the family nurse practitioner students at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Students entered data on a disk formatted in Microsoft Access, and results were analyzed by the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). More than 4,000 patient encounters were documented during three semesters. The development and refinement of the computerized log are described. Results are presented and the implications of the database for educational, curricular and employment purposes are discussed.

Sexual assessment and counseling in primary care.

This article describes the role of the nurse practitioner in sexual health assessment and sexual counseling. Topics of potential sexual health concerns of primary care clients are identified. The essential components of sexual counseling consist of establishing a trusting relationship with the client, developing a systematic repertoire of questions to screen for sexual health concerns, and one-on-one counseling with the permission, limited information, specific suggestions, and intensive therapy (PLISSIT) model. References for further information on sexual education and sexual health are identified.

Use of a physician consultant in a primary care nursing practice.

This article describes a study of the nature of consultation requests made to a physician consultant by nurse practitioners in an urban university-affiliated ambulatory nursing practice. During a 50-week period, 1,504 client encounters resulted in 225 consultations, an average consultation rate of 15 percent. The types of consultation requests, the medical specialty to which the content of the request related and the outcomes of the consultations were recorded in a consultation log. Knowledge of the pattern and nature of consultation needs has multiple benefits. Careful study of practice needs may assist in determining the qualifications of a prospective consultant and the amount of time required for on-site consultation. Such a study may provide insight into the types of problems seen in the practice and identify areas of need for continuing education and protocol development. The consultation process enhances continuity of care, while knowledge of practice needs for consultation may lead to more efficient, cost-effective health care.