The role of the practice nurse in the management of asthma.

Abstract

The role of the practice nurse may include diagnosis and management of asthma, this study examines the range of activities performed by nurses and their training. To ascertain the role and confidence levels of the practice nurse in diagnosis and management of asthmatic patients. A postal questionnaire sent to the named respiratory nurse in 179 practices in Cornwall and Southwest Devon, to assess the number of practice nurses offering asthma management, extent of services and confidence level of nurses in this role. The response rate was 64%: Dedicated asthma clinics operated in 47% of practices, 87% undertaken by the nurse alone. Responsibilities undertaken by nurses alone included: instruction of inhaler technique 93%, supervising self-management plans 87%, changing medication dosage 71%, withdrawing treatment 53%, diagnosing asthma 45% and managing acute exacerbations 29%. Nurses initiated treatment alone, without consulting a doctor, as follows; inhaled bronchodilators 55%, long acting bronchodilators 54%, inhaled steroids 56%, oral steroids 15%, anti-leukotrienes 5% and theophyllines 3%. The confidence level of the nurses performing these tasks was high. Formal training had been undertaken by 74% of respondents. There were statistically significant associations between performance of organisational tasks and training, but surprisingly no apparent statistical associations with training and independent initiation of treatments. Practice nurses are performing activities previously undertaken by doctors. A minority have not had formal training and performing these activities, without well-defined shared care protocols, may be outside current legal frameworks.