Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2015
Journal / Book Title
Nursing Outlook
Abstract
There is widespread interest in the redesign of primary health care practice models to increase access to quality health care. Registered nurses (RNs) are well positioned to assume direct care and leadership roles based on their understanding of patient, family, and system priorities. This project identified 16 exemplar primary health care practices that used RNs to the full extent of their scope of practice in team-based care. Interviews were conducted with practice representatives. RN activities were performed within three general contexts: episodic and preventive care, chronic disease management, and practice operations. RNs performed nine general functions in these contexts including telephone triage, assessment and documentation of health status, chronic illness case management, hospital transition management, delegated care for episodic illness, health coaching, medication reconciliation, staff supervision, and quality improvement leadership. These functions improved quality and efficiency and decreased cost. Implications for policy, practice, and RN education are considered.
DOI
10.1016/j.outlook.2014.08.004
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Smolowitz, Janice; Speakman, Elizabeth; Wojnar, Danuta; Whelan, Ellen Marie; Ulrich, Suzan; Hayes, Carolyn; and Wood, Laura, "Role of the Registered Nurse In Primary Health Caremeeting Health Care Needs In the 21st Century" (2015). School of Nursing Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 32.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/nursing-facpubs/32
Published Citation
Smolowitz, J., Speakman, E., Wojnar, D., Whelan, E. M., Ulrich, S., Hayes, C., & Wood, L. (2015). Role of the registered nurse in primary health care: Meeting health care needs in the 21st century. Nursing Outlook, 63(2), 130-136.