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Table 2 Tasks in general practices

From: Skill mix change between general practitioners, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses in primary healthcare for older people: a qualitative study

Provider

Population

Type of care

Examples of tasksa

NPb, PAc

All ages

Medical cared

Diagnosis

• medical anamnesis (including psychosocial and functional status)

• physical examination: examination of hearts, lungs, abdomen, examination of musculoskeletal system, neurological examination, dermatoscopy, ordering blood or feces tests

Treatment

• prescription of medication

• small surgical procedures

• psychosocial support

• referral to other discipline

• multidisciplinary treatment and/or support

Older people

Proactive healthcare (combining medical and nursing care)

varied from an unplanned preventive home visit to structural screening on frailty

RNe

All ages

Providing nursing care to patients with chronic conditions such as:

• diabetes mellitus

• chronic obstructive

• pulmonary disease

• heart failure

• nursing anamnesis

• nursing procedures e.g.: wound care, removing stitches (in order of GPf)

• psychosocial support

• health education

• health monitoring

• care coordination

Older people

Proactive healthcare (nursing care)

varied from an unplanned preventive home visit to structural screening on frailty

  1. aTasks were described in the sampling questionnaire and in the (focus group) interviews
  2. bNP nurse practitioner
  3. cPA physician assistant
  4. dDelineation varied per profession (NPs had a more outlined package of tasks than Pas) and per individual; some NPs/PAs excluded some specific complaints (e.g, stomachache, cardiovascular problems and neurological problems)
  5. eRN registered nurse
  6. fGP general practitioner