Care by general practitioners and district nurses of patients receiving home nursing: a study from suburban Stockholm.

OBJECTIVES

To review the care by general practitioners (GPs), district nurses and assistant nurses of patients receiving home nursing.

DESIGN

Retrospective data from questionnaires, records and official statistics. Statistical comparisons.

SETTING

Primary health care from October 1995 to October 1996.

SUBJECTS

One-third (158) of all patients receiving home nursing in a suburban area were sampled; 73% (116) participated. All patients of comparable age in one practice served as a control group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Number of and reasons for visits and other contacts. Nature of care. Relation between patient problems and care given.

RESULTS

Most patients were seen by the nurses two to five times a month. They met their GPs less often than other patients. More measures were undertaken without direct contact between GP and patient. The most common measures concerned medication and the assessment of symptoms. Patients with cognitive problems seemed to get less active GP care.

CONCLUSION

GPs played an active role in the care of patients receiving home nursing even though they seldom met them. Many patients were regularly assessed by the nurses, which might have diminished the need for doctor visits. The care of patients with cognitive problems needs further study.