Chronic constipation is a common disorder affecting 25% of the population at some point in their lifetime (Belsey et al, 2010). The statistical evidence shows a substantial financial burden on the NHS, with many people who have constipation recording unsatisfactory treatment and outcomes. It is difficult to define as professionals often classify the symptoms in a different way to the patient. It could be argued that as a symptom and not a disease, constipation is a condition that would be preventable in many cases if there was a better understanding among healthcare professionals and a more consistent approach to treatments offered. This article aims to highlight how thorough appropriate patient assessment, breaking down the social taboo around continence issues, and considering bladder and bowel issues as essential components of health and social care will lead to improved patient experience and satisfaction. General practice nurses (GPNs) are ideally placed to enable early detection of issues and offer appropriate advice or timely referral to specialist services.
This feature asks experts in their particular field to take a look at a therapy area and examine some of the challenges that general practice nurses (GPNs) may face. In this issue, we look at wound cleansing and ask how...
A team of people with an interest in COPD, including two experienced respiratory nurse specialists, met to discuss the range of emotions that people and those around them typically experience when coming to terms with COPD.
The aim was to explore how a sufferer reacts to a COPD diagnosis and how their changing emotional state affects their ability/ willingness to self-manage their condition and develop a care pathway.
The team also considered the emotions of the carer along the pathway and their role in helping their loved one to change. The learnings from this work could help general practice nurses (GPNs) provide appropriate support to COPD patients to help them get to a stage where they are motivated and able to effectively self-manage.
In each issue of the journal we speak to general practice nurses and hear what they have to say about their role in primary care.
Spirometry is very easy to do, and very easy to get wrong (Martin, 2010; personal communication). Not only is quality
assured spirometry dependent on the effort exerted by the patient, and the technical ability of the spirometer operator,
but also on the understanding of the results by the person interpreting them.
Interpretation of the results is essential if any meaningful decision is to be made about the patient’s care.
Dementia is a progressive loss of the cognitive functions that are necessary for a person to live safely and independently. These include loss of memory, the ability to think logically and communicate effectively with others, and being able to care for yourself. In 2009 a national dementia strategy for England was launched in order to improve public and professional awareness, and to ensure high quality care at all stages, including early diagnosis and treatment (Department of Health [DH], 2009).
The strategy outlined a care pathway for people living with dementia and their families and carers from diagnosis through to end of life. This article will enable the reader to understand the importance of the dementia care pathway in supporting people to live well with dementia, to consider how the pathway is being developed and implemented in primary care and how general practice nurses (GPNs) can add value within their professional role.
Chronic preventable illness has a high financial and social cost. General practice nurses (GPNs) have the opportunity
in their daily work to help patients take steps towards health and wellbeing. Risk factors for many diseases are well known and the actions necessary to reduce risk are understood.
Welcome to GPN’s learning zone. By reading the article in each issue, you can learn all about the key principles of subjects that are vital to your role as a general practice nurse. Once you have read the article, visit the learning-zone to evaluate your knowledge on this topic by answering the questions in the e-learning unit; all answers can be found in the article. If you answer the questions correctly, you can download your certificate which can be used in your continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio as evidence of your continued learning and contribute to your revalidation portfolio.
This feature focuses on the quality of record keeping; why it is important, the standards required, the potential consequences if standards are not met and how this can be avoided by healthcare professionals and their employer.
As we settle into the new year, we are delighted to share the latest news in the world of Education for Health.
We have some great opportunities for you to get involved with us this year, whether you meet our Education Leads, join our training in our new venues, or start a Masters Module or programme.
As always, we hope that you enjoy this issue of GPN and our news update.
