15. Nurse supplementary prescribing for patients with diabetes: A National questionnaire survey (61)

Nicola Carey, Senior Research Fellow, School of Health and Social care, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
Co authors: Molly Courtenay
n.j.carey@reading.ac.uk

Abstract:

Background:

Nurses in a variety of roles are involved in the management of medicines for patients with diabetes (Carey & Courtenay 2007). These roles have developed in recognition that access to health professionals, who are skilled in insulin therapy and the management of diabetes, is vital in order to reduce long term complications (National Institute of Health 2005). Nurse prescribing should help optimise these roles. Nurses in the United Kingdom have virtually the same independent prescribing rights as doctors (DoH 2006). There is little or no evidence on the extent to which nurse supplementary prescribing is used, or the impact and activity of nurse supplementary prescribing for patients with diabetes.

Aim:

To examine the prescribing practices of Nurse Supplementary Prescribing in diabetes.

Method:

A random sample of 214 Nurse Supplementary Prescribers self-completed a written questionnaire.

Results:

The majority of nurses held an academic qualification at degree level or higher, had a wealth of clinical experience, worked full-time, were based in primary care and worked in general practice. The majority of nurses prescribed between 1 and 5 items a week. Oral anti-diabetic drugs, hypertension and lipid-regulating drugs and insulins were the products most often prescribed. Over 85% had undertaken specialist training in diabetes prior to undertaking the prescribing programme.

Discussion:

An increased number of nurses reported they used supplementary prescribing. The majority also prescribed a higher number of items than previously reported. It is evident that nurses were using supplementary prescribing to treat multiple pathologies, where a team approach to care is necessary.

Conclusion:

Supplementary prescribing provides a practical and useful framework within which to prescribe medicines for patients with diabetes and its associated complications. Specialist diabetes training is a necessary pre-requisite for nurses prescribing in this area. It is evident that there is still a place for supplementary prescribing.

Biography:

Nicola is a qualified nurse who has worked in a variety of posts across the country in primary care as both a practice nurse and nurse practitioner. She also spent two years in the United States whilst undertaking her Masters in Public Health in community health education. During this time she was involved in teaching undergraduate students, and also worked as a research assistant on several projects. Projects were at national and state level and included the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey. More recently she worked as a senior lecturer in community nursing. She has also been involved in teaching on the extended independent and supplementary prescribing programme. Nicolas main interests are in primary care, public health, advanced nursing practice and prescribing. Since joining the University of Reading in January 2005 she has been involved in several projects including: • An exploration of the treatment management of patients with skin related conditions by nurses working in primary care • ƒ± national evaluation of independent extended and supplementary nurse prescribing in diabetes • An evaluation of the diabetes nurse specialist (and qualified prescriber) role • The educational preparation of paediatric nurse prescribers.