Patients can trust expert nurses as much as doctors to diagnose tricky health complaints, according to Massey University research.The new study aimed to silence critics of a push to give nurse practitioners similar powers to doctors to diagnose patients andprescribe drugs.
Dr Alison Pirret, a nurse practitioner who carried out the research, said some medical professionals wrongly believed nurse practitioners did not have the same reasoning ability as doctors to diagnose conditions.
"It was reassuring to know nurse practitioners did perform just as well."
The research involved 30 nurses and 16 registrars making a diagnosis of a man withvarious ailments including flu-like symptoms, back pain and abdominal pain.
Pirret found there was no difference between the reasoning or diagnostic style between the two professionals.
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed a clinical masters degree in nursing.These expert nurse roles were set up to reduce the effects of doctor shortages.
However, Pirret said there were many barriers preventing nurses from becoming practitioners.
"There's always been a little fear from doctors that nurse practitioners will take some funding."
There are about 137 registered nurse practitioners, of the 1000 nurses who have completed the qualification since it was recognised in 2001.
Concerns have been raised that a lack funding and jobs means nurse practitionersare being underutilised.Ian Powell, director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, said questions remained on whether there were enough jobs for nurse practitioners.
However, he agreed expert nurses could ease the workload of doctors. "If this advances the careers and professional skills of nurses, then there is a logic there."
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9964150/Expert-nurses-diagnose-same-way-as-doctors
Dr Alison Pirret, a nurse practitioner who carried out the research, said some medical professionals wrongly believed nurse practitioners did not have the same reasoning ability as doctors to diagnose conditions.
"It was reassuring to know nurse practitioners did perform just as well."
The research involved 30 nurses and 16 registrars making a diagnosis of a man withvarious ailments including flu-like symptoms, back pain and abdominal pain.
Pirret found there was no difference between the reasoning or diagnostic style between the two professionals.
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed a clinical masters degree in nursing.These expert nurse roles were set up to reduce the effects of doctor shortages.
However, Pirret said there were many barriers preventing nurses from becoming practitioners.
"There's always been a little fear from doctors that nurse practitioners will take some funding."
There are about 137 registered nurse practitioners, of the 1000 nurses who have completed the qualification since it was recognised in 2001.
Concerns have been raised that a lack funding and jobs means nurse practitionersare being underutilised.Ian Powell, director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, said questions remained on whether there were enough jobs for nurse practitioners.
However, he agreed expert nurses could ease the workload of doctors. "If this advances the careers and professional skills of nurses, then there is a logic there."
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9964150/Expert-nurses-diagnose-same-way-as-doctors
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