Summary
International evidence indicates that nurses working in primary care can provide effective
care and achieve positive health outcomes for patients similar to that provided by
doctors. Nurse practitioners employed in primary health care perform some tasks previously
exclusive to the GP role due to their advanced skills, knowledge and training. In
November 2010 Medicare provider rights and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme rights were
provided for nurse practitioners working in private practice, and in collaboration
with a medical practitioner. However, there is limited evidence about how acceptable
nurse practitioners are to Australian consumers and what knowledge consumers have
of the nurse practitioner role in the delivery of primary health care. The aim of
this study was to examine Australian health care consumers’ perceptions of nurse practitioners
working in primary health care. This paper reports on the results of seven focus groups
(n = 77 participants) conducted around Australia. Focus groups participants were asked
how acceptable nurse practitioners are as provides of primary health care. Although
there was some confusion about the role of nurse practitioners and how this role differed
from other primary health care nurses, participants in the focus groups were very
positive about nurse practitioners and would find them acceptable in providing primary
health care.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 12, 2012
Accepted:
March 5,
2012
Received in revised form:
November 22,
2011
Received:
August 15,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
