THE ROLE OF THE NURSE PRACTITIONER IN A UROLOGY SERVICE

Objective To evaluate the role of the nurse practitioner in urology an d to determine the impact on the work of junior doctors. Methods Writt en criteria were defined before the post-holder was appointed and subs equent performance was assessed against these criteria, Training was p rovided and the quality of work was assessed by direct observation. Se nior House Officers (SHOs) were asked whether the post had increased t heir opportunities to attend theatre, outpatients and post-graduate tr aining sessions and had decreased the number of 'inappropriate' tasks they had to perform. Results The nurse practitioner accomplished all t he tasks that were defined before the appointment. The assessment of p atients in pre-admission and haematuria clinics was satisfactory, The continuity of information, care of patients and counselling for patien ts receiving complex surgery were improved. Sixty-three per cent of al l patients seen in the pre-admission clinic and all patients in a haem aturia clinic were assessed initially by the nurse practitioner, Becau se the nurse practitioner was involved in setting up intravenous drug administration and infusions, administrative tasks and in obtaining re sults from the laboratory, the number of 'inappropriate' tasks perform ed by the SHOs decreased and they were able to attend more sessions of training and education. Conclusions The nurse practitioner in clinica l urological practice constitutes an effective use of resources and re lieves junior medical staff from other tasks, allowing them to receive a more focused training, In addition, the quality of patient care was thought to be improved in some areas, The framework of a job plan for a nurse practitioner is described.