Specialist community nurses: A critical analysis of their role in the management of long-term conditions

Gretl Mchugh, Gretl A. McHugh, Maria Horne, Karen I. Chalmers, Karen A. Luker

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The aim of this narrative review is to identify strategies in use by specialist community and public health nurses in the prevention, care and management of individuals with long-term conditions, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and musculoskeletal disorders. These conditions have been selected as they are highly prevalent; a burden on health services globally and a major public health issue. From a UK policy perspective, specialist community nurses have been placed at the forefront of taking a lead role in the coordination and delivery of more responsive services for individuals with longterm conditions; whether this has been an effective use of skills and resource is questionable. We systematically searched relevant databases between 1999-2009 to identify interventions used by specialist community nurses and critically appraised the studies. This review reports on impact and value of interventions used by specialist community nurses in the prevention and management of COPD and musculoskeletal conditions, and makes recommendations for improving services. © 2009 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2550-2567
    Number of pages17
    JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Volume6
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2009

    Keywords

    • Community nursing
    • Long-term conditions
    • Public health

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