Nurse practitioners effectively manage same day GP patients

Nurse practitioners are extending their role within primary care. There is little evidence from randomised trials to clarify the effectiveness of their work. Kinnersley et al (p 1043) studied over 1300 patients requesting same day consultations in 10 practices. Patients who consulted with nurse practitioners were generally more satisfied, received longer consultations, and were given more information than those who consulted general practitioners. There were no differences in resolution of symptoms or concerns. In a separate study Venning et al (p 1048) compared the cost effectiveness of nurse practitioners and general practitioners seeing patients requesting a same day appointment. They too found no significant difference in clinical care or cost but the patients seeing nurse practitioners were more satisfied with their care than those seeing a general practitioner. These findings suggest that nurse practitioners can act as the first point of contact in primary care.

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