| Journals Watch
1999 This section features a constantly updated list of recently published articles relevant to nurse prescribing. Abstracts of the papers are included and incorporate an expert's opinion about the article. Users are encouraged to submit their views about published papers through the feedback section. Please note: In this section of the website we aim to cover articles on areas where nurses do prescribe. However, not all the treatments or appliances mentioned are prescribable by nurses. For that reason, nurses should check the up-to-date versions of the Nurse Prescribing Formulary and Drug tariff if they are in any doubt. Journals Watch 2002 | Journals Watch 2001 | Journals Watch 2000 | Journals Watch 1999 Jordan S et al. Medication management: an exploratory study into the role of community mental health nurses. J Adv Nursing 1999; 29:1068-1081. Summary: Medication management and monitoring and client education are seen by community mental health nurses to be important parts of their role, but they feel limited by their knowledge of pharmacology, according to the results of this study. Fourteen nurses were interviewed. Seven had chosen a pharmacology module as part of a higher education diploma and the other seven, interviewed for comparison, had not undertaken post-registration education in pharmacology. The two groups gave similar responses to questions relating to their current practice and knowledge base. All accepted that antipsychotic medication can be helpful for people with severe mental illness, but they had several concerns, particularly about side effects. They felt that monitoring of medication and education about it are important for the quality of life of their clients, and are also useful in demarcating professional territory. Although they were willing to embrace these roles, the nurses felt constrained by their lack of educational preparation. Comment: Antipsychotic medication is not prescribed by nurses but this article does highlight the importance of education about pharmacology if nurses are to expand their roles.
McCartney W. Nurse prescribing: radicalism or tokenism? J Adv Nursing 1999; 29:348-354 Summary: These authors argue that the three main aims behind the introduction of nurse prescribing were: to save time and money; to disguise the shortage of doctors by transferring routine aspects of their work to another professional group; and to send a message to the medical profession that power and privilege can be removed. They highlight the restrictions placed on nurse prescribing by the Formulary. Although nurses cannot prescribe most GSL medicines, they are currently being urged to advise patients who are able to pay about the medicines they should buy. The authors place the introduction of nurse prescribing in the political context of the Conservative government’s leaning towards deregulation and greater consumer choice, making the restricted nature of the Formulary seem even more anomalous. They discuss the overt reasons for these restrictions and speculate that their real source lies in the perceived threat posed by nurse prescribing to professional privilege and power. They stress that even if nurses as a group are happy with the advent of nurse prescribing, they still need a clear articulation of what nurses do. Without this, nurses’ professional boundaries may be redrawn for them and for what they perceive as the wrong reasons.
Peters J. Eczema. Nursing Standard 1999; 14:49-55. Summary: This
article discusses the different types of eczema, how they are triggered and what the
treatment options are. It outlines the different types of eczema and then looks in detail
at the treatment options for atopic eczema in particular. Eczema is multifactorial and a
combination of therapies can be required to improve quality of life. Assessment of
patients should provide information about their lifestyle and how eczema affects them.
Treatment options can then be placed in this context and patients helped to make an
informed choice by the nurse. The article discusses bathing and washing, topical
emollients, topical steroids, infection and its treatment, scratching and wet wrapping and
antihistamines. The author suggests that nurses seek expertise and clinical experience
from their local For more information: www.nursing-standard.co.uk |