Primary Health Care System
RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

SEED FUNDING REPORTS

Defining Nursing Contribution within Primary Care Practices
Tranmer, JE, VanDenKerkhof, E., Edge, D., McColl, M., Birtwhistle, R., Green, M.

Abstract :

The overall goal of this pilot study was to describe the roles and activities of primary care nurses in Ontario. To address the study objectives we: 1) conducted a systematic review of the literature to synthesize the research evidence in regard to primary care nursing roles and activities 2) developed the “Primary Care Nursing in Ontario Survey” through expert consultation and review of the literature 3) pilot tested the survey and 4) administered the survey to all consenting Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) registered with the College of Nurses in Ontario who identified family practice or community health centres as a place of employment in 2010 (this step is currently in progress). Our narrative review showed that the majority of the studies (n = 34) examined the role of NP; only 2 studies (one in Australia and one in eastern Canada) examined the role of RN or RPN. Role activities for NP generally included a wide range of independent and collaborative functions whereas, the general practice nurses reported more dependent (i.e., assisting physician) and some independent and collaborative functions. The Primary Care Nursing in Ontario Survey is a modified version of a large national Australian survey, designed to determine the roles and activities of nurses in general practice, with a specific focus on nurses’ role in chronic disease management care. We are currently in the process of administering this survey, thus final results are pending.

Key Messages:

• NP in primary care practices participate in a wide range of independent and collaborative role activities

• We have limited information about the roles and activities of primary care practice nurses (RN and RPN); the available information would suggest that RN and RPN may not be optimizing their scope of practice.

• The Primary Care Nursing in Ontario Survey will provide important information about the roles and activities of nurses in Ontario, and identify opportunities for optimization of role.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Joan Tramner
tranmerj@KGH.KARI.NET

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