Nurse prescribing: what do patients think?

AIM To explore nurse prescribing from the patient's viewpoint. METHOD This study was undertaken in one primary care group in Leicestershire. All prescribing health visitors (n = 17), district nurses (n = 9) and practice nurses (n = 1) were asked to recruit five patients for whom they had prescribed. Fifty patients took part in a telephone or face-to-face interview. Participants were predominantly low or new users of nurse prescribing, while the nurse prescribers were experienced. RESULTS Participants identified that nurse prescribers had key skills in assessment, observation, diagnosing and providing information. Nurse prescribing was accepted by all participants as a practical and responsive method of service delivery. Gains identified were better use of the nurse's and doctor's time, convenience, a quality relationship with the nurse and expertise of the nurse. Disadvantages identified included the limitations of the Nurse Prescribers' Formulary and the training and competence of nurse prescribers. CONCLUSION This study helps affirm that nurse prescribers meet the needs of patients, with positive experiences in terms of the process and outcomes. Future developments suggested by participants appear to reflect government concerns. Such changes include the need to develop and maintain competence to uphold public safety and for the formulary to be expanded. To ensure that the NHS workforce is used more effectively, participants agreed with providing patient-centred services and the renegotiation of traditional roles.