Nurses

Nurses are playing an increasing role in primary health care.

Capital Health has an expanding site devoted to Family Practice Nurses

Carol Todd, Mary MacKay, and Marilyn Howlett write about this here.

In November 2006, a round table discussion was held on the role of nurses in family practice.

Goals included:

sharing research that has been done
exploring networking and educational opportunities
focusing on how FPNs can become involved in regional and provincial planning activities
examining the strengths and and weaknesses of FPNs and opportunities and challenges.

Scope of Practice

Patsy Smith works side by side with her doc, taking whoever walks through the door.

once FPNs start working, they start a year-long module course (from Patsy Smith)

She has a yearly meeting where GPs and FPNs come together to talk. The GPs teach GPs, not

all practices has been able to increase rosters 50-70% (ie a nurse is like 0.5 GP)

new FPNs don't

FPNs have the capacity to add a great deal to:

FPN's experience isolation and a lack of cohesiveness; inconsistent payment models and lack of benefits is of concern to FPNs.

liability

can FPNs bill?

An article by Dr Louise Nasmith discusses FPN's

Ontario has over 5000 FPN's, represented by the Ontario Family Practice Nurse's Association