Toward Developing a Nurse Endoscopist Role in New Zealand.

The purpose of this exploratory descriptive mixed-method study was to explore the potential role of the nurse endoscopist as a part of the solution in fulfilling the workforce requirements of a bowel screening program, ascertain the possible enablers of a nurse endoscopist role in New Zealand, and determine whether there are endoscopy nurses who would wish to follow the nurse endoscopist/nurse practitioner pathway. A questionnaire with both open- and closed-ended questions gained in-depth information regarding the aspirations of New Zealand endoscopy nurses, their perceived enablers and barriers of a nurse endoscopist role, and statistical information on the New Zealand endoscopy nursing workforce. New Zealand has a highly experienced and educated endoscopy nursing workforce who supports the development of the nurse endoscopist role, some of whom expressed interest in a nurse endoscopist/practitioner pathway. It was concluded that with the addition of a specific education pathway and funding, standardization of training for endoscopists, and specific job description for nurse endoscopists, the future development of this role is possible in New Zealand.

Implementing a Continuity of Cancer Care nursing role into a New Zealand primary health organisation - the patient's perspective.

INTRODUCTION: A Continuity of Cancer Care pilot project was established in two urban general practices, with the goal of improving cancer care and patient access to services. Practice nurses were engaged as coordinators to implement a model of care and patient navigation to offer continued and consistent care, and to assist the patient to navigate their cancer experience. AIM: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Continuity of Cancer Care pilot project. METHODS: Patients enrolled in the pilot project were invited to participate. Each participant completed a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire and SF-12 Health Survey, and was then invited to take part in an interview. The evaluation framework utilised concepts of informational, management and relational continuity. RESULTS: The SF-12 subcategories of physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain and role emotional were lower than other results from cancer patients in the literature. The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire and interviews indicated patients were satisfied with the relational continuity components of the project, but that gaps existed within the management and informational continuity aspects of care. DISCUSSION: Overall, the participants were satisfied with the Continuity of Cancer Care programme and valued the support, clarification and listening aspects of the programme. However, when evaluated in relation to a more comprehensive definition of continuity of care, there were distinct gaps. While the relational aspects of continuity of care were mostly achieved, the management and informational aspects appeared to be limited primarily to nurses acting to interpret hospital and general practitioner comments for patients.