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A new study regarding NP led Spinal Clinics at Toronto Western Hospital in Ontario was just published in the November issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.
The aim of the study was to see whether a clinic led by a nurse practitioner could speed up the diagnosis and management of patients with certain spinal conditions pre-selected by the surgeons' offices. One other goal of this study was to determine patient satisfaction and clinical accuracy with nonsurgical nurse practitioner management of preselected spinal referrals.
Results show that nurse practitioners can play an effective and efficient role in delivering timely healthcare to patients requiring specific disease management in a specialty setting. Co-author Yoga Raja Rampersaud, MD adds that although skill levels will vary from one nurse practitioner to another, physicians can work with NPs to help them to develop expertise in their specialty area. Ongoing evaluation is also important to ensure that quality of care is maintained and that patients are satisfied with the consultation.
The questionnaire revealed that 97% of patients were satisfied with the consultation, that 94% were pleased with examination thoroughness, and that only 26% preferred to wait longer for direct consultation with the surgeon.
The article can be found at
http://journals2.scholarsportal.info/details.xqy?uri=/03092402/v66i0012/2671_npsscc.xml
