Perspectives of general practitioners and practice nurses on nurse-led patient consultations and dose changes of permanent medications-results of a focus group study.

BACKGROUND

Shifting tasks from General practitioners (GPs) to practice nurses (PNs) could help address the shortage of GPs in Europe. Internationally, PN-led care (PNLC) is feasible and offers similar health outcomes to usual care. However, PN-led consultations (PN-cons) or as PN-led dosage changes for permanent medication (PN-DCPM) are uncommon in German general practice offices (GPO).

OBJECTIVE

To explore GPs' and PNs' views on the feasibility and acceptability of PN-cons and PN-DCPM in GPOs.

METHODS

In this exploratory, qualitative online focus group study, we recruited GPs, GP trainees, PNs and specialized PNs (APN) currently working in German GPO using a qualitative sampling plan. We used a semi-structured self-developed interview guide. Separate focus groups (FGs) were performed for each profession, with audio and video recordings, and the transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Two FGs comprising 15 GPs and three FGs with 26 PNs revealed four major themes: (i) Attitudes towards PN-cons and PN-DCPM, revealing that participants were generally open towards a PN-cons, but were more reserved towards PN-DCPM. (ii) Acceptable reasons for encounters for PN-cons, e.g. diabetes or hypertension, and acceptable medications for PN-DCPM, e.g. antidiabetics, antihypertensive drugs. (iii) Conditions mentioned for implementing PN-led care were e.g. adequate qualification and supervision concepts. (iv) Perceived chances were e.g. time savings and increased quality of care and perceived risks were e.g. fear of treatment errors.

CONCLUSION

Participants showed openness towards PN-cons and were more reserved towards PN-DCPM in German GPO. Further quantitative studies should assess how acceptance and rejection of PN-led care are distributed among patients, GPs, and PNs.