Developing a nurse‐led urodynamics clinic

Abstract

ABSTRACTNurse‐led clinics in primary and secondary care settings have been widely acclaimed as a positive step towards improving access to investigation and specialist advice, and offering a solution towards limited clinician resource. Many nurse‐led clinics have been traditionally heavily protocoled, but with the evolution of advanced senior nursing roles corresponding role expansion within the multidisciplinary team has occurred. The development of procedural nurse‐led clinics such as urodynamics is not well published. The interpretation and application of published clinical guidelines into practice can present challenges, particularly if consensus has not been found. The proposal of a new clinic requires a vision and commitment from stakeholders to develop and support the implementation of nurse‐led clinics, which have traditionally sat within the realm of medicine. The decision was made to develop this clinic, so a tailored training package that included formal theoretical training, clinical mentorship and supervision and reflective practice was devised. This approach has been documented as central to good urodynamic practice and is based upon published recommended best practice. The successful implementation has provided our patient population faster access to urodynamics procedures, reducing time to treatment based upon the findings and has freed up over 50 appointment slots per annum, for Urologists to see other patients. With a robust training package and clinical support nurse‐led clinics can have a positive impact not only upon health care delivery but also provide the opportunity for professional development and increased job satisfaction.