Managing routine consultations

Managing routine consultations
As a practice nurse you will often be on your own in a consultation with a patient. You will need to use a range of skills in order for that encounter to achieve the best outcome for both parties. For a practice ...

Communicating with external agencies

Communicating with external agencies
General practice does not work in isolation – patient pathways involve a range of interdependent healthcare workers and services, and good care needs good communication. In addition, all nurses are ...

Communicating with the practice team

Communicating with the practice team
Teams cannot be effective without good communication between team members. Although few people would disagree with this statement, many who work in teams would add that it is often easier said than done! ...

Dealing with patients with specific needs

Going to the doctor or nurse is not easy for many people. Not only are there the normal concerns about what the symptoms might mean and embarrassment when discussing personal matters, but there can be additional difficulties linked to disabilities and ...

Delegation and accountability

Delegation and accountability
General practice is changing and practice nursing teams are evolving to meet the increasing demands and pressures currently facing primary care. As a result, many general practice nurses (GPNs) are taking on ...

Identifying and overcoming barriers

Identifying and overcoming barriers
In all fields of nursing good planning and communication is essential, and without it encounters fail. However, we have all had instances when a consultation was not as good as it should be, or when ...

Taking a history

Taking a history
Nurses are traditionally people who do things to make people better, or at least more comfortable. However, the work is inefficient and sometimes even dangerous if they do not first gather the relevant information to tailor ...