With wound and skin care taking up a considerable part of general practice nursing time, the new GPN ‘nurse consultation’ series follows the therapy chain for the management of patients with venous leg ulcers and looks at the skills needed to ensure safe, competent and professional consultations with patients.
Here, Kimberley Socrates, tissue viability nurse specialist, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, looks at the first link, i.e. the importance of accurate wound assessment aided by skin/ wound cleansing and debridement, and offers a simple, clinical and cost-effective method of debridement.
The NHS agenda is increasingly focused on promoting self-care for patients with long-term conditions and
healthcare professionals are being encouraged to empower patients to become equal partners in their care. This
article discusses some of the self-care strategies that patients with venous leg ulceration (VLU) can undertake
to promote healing or prevent recurrence. The evidence base to support the effectiveness of these activities will
also be discussed. Furthermore, with the very real shift in wound care from the domain of specialist nurses to
clinicians working in primary care, namely general practice nurses (GPNs) (Guest et al, 2015), it is vital that they are
prepared and trained to care for patients with venous leg ulcers, the number of which is likely to rise with an ageing
population (Atkin and Tickle, 2016).
There has been an increase in non-cancer-related cases of lymphoedema across the UK and there is a need to raise awareness of this chronic non-curable condition (Williams, 2003; Keen, 2008). Lymphoedema can be effectively managed in primary care; however, frontline clinicians should have an understanding of the difference between lymphoedema and other lower limb conditions, especially with regards to lower limb lymphoedema. There are also gaps in knowledge around the practice of managing poorly drained interstitial fluid, which need to be addressed. However, for management to be effective, a patient-centred approach needs to be established with patients directing their care. As the management of lymphoedema involves patients doing exercises, it impacts on their day-to-day lives. Slight modifications, such as personal massage to improve lymphatic drainage, skin care to improve skin texture and theraband exercises to aid mobility, may need to be considered as part of the management process and, as the medical model on its own is not effective in managing this condition, patients may need to be referred to a team of specialist practitioners.
Home oxygen is widely used in the clinical management of patients with conditions that result in chronic breathlessness. It is often requested by patients and their families, particularly when they have been treated with oxygen during a hospital admission with an acute worsening of hypoxaemia. However, oxygen therapy at home is not an insignificant undertaking; it may be challenging for both patients and their families and carries a number of risks in terms of safety and clinical response to treatment. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has published detailed evidence-based guidance for the assessment, prescription and follow-up of oxygen therapy in the home setting (Hardinge et al, 2015). This article addresses the main points of the guidance and considers the role of primary care health professionals, such as general practice nurses (GPNs), in supporting patients with chronic breathlessness and identifying those who might benefit from assessment for home oxygen therapy.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United Kingdom (Cancer Research UK [CRUK], 2016). In 2013, there were 47,300 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. This amounts to 13% of all new cancers diagnosed in men. Furthermore, prostate cancer incidence has increased by 5% over the last ten years (CRUK, 2016). In 2014 there were 11,287 deaths due to prostate cancer, however 84% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive 10 years or more (CRUK, 2016). This paper gives an overview of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment and the role of general practice nurses (GPNs) in the care of men suspected of having prostate cancer and following treatment.
Here, Chris Loveridge reflects on a patient story where the focus slipped away from the patient resulting in a failure of care.
As nurses, one of the first things we are taught is how to communicate with patients. It is also important to look out for clues that might help to assess their condition. For example, in patients with breathlessness this could mean:
Here, Denise Woodd, talks about her role as a trainer/ lecturer in leg ulceration and wound care in primary care.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY?
I work independently so I plan my own schedule, but a clinical day would be seeing patients who have been referred to me with the nurse in their surgery in Portsmouth. We undertake a full holistic leg assessment, including Doppler together, agree the priorities of care, triage if needed, and refer on. Once the day is over, I come home and write the reports and recommendations for ongoing treatment, etc. Other days are carrying out education and training.
Undertaking a successful consultation with a child requires a particular set of skills. Children presenting to general practice vary enormously in age, development, disability, personality and clinical presentation, making each consultation unique. For the majority of cases, a parent or carer will be present, requiring the consultation to broaden out and become a triadic exchange of views, versus the traditional patient and practitioner dyad. This paper discusses techniques to optimise effective communication in a triadic consultation, that allows the child to present their concerns/ perspectives about their illness.
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