Clinician assessment, advice and referral for multiple health risk behaviors: prevalence and predictors of delivery by primary health care nurses and allied health professionals

Kathleen M McElwaine; Megan Freund; Elizabeth M Campbell; Carolyn Slattery; Paula M Wye; Christophe Lecathelinais; Kate M Bartlem; Karen E Gillham; John H Wiggers

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2013.10.017

Clinician assessment, advice and referral for multiple health risk behaviors: prevalence and predictors of delivery by primary health care nurses and allied health professionals

Patient Educ Couns. 2014 Feb;94(2):193-201. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2013.10.017. Epub 2013 Nov 5.

Authors

Kathleen M McElwaine¹, Megan Freund¹, Elizabeth M Campbell², Carolyn Slattery³, Paula M Wye⁴, Christophe Lecathelinais⁵, Kate M Bartlem⁶, Karen E Gillham⁷, John H Wiggers⁸

Affiliations

¹ Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia; Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Clinical Research Centre, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia; Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Clinical Research Centre, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia; Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Faculty of Science and Information Technology, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Clinical Research Centre, Newcastle, Australia; Faculty of Science and Information Technology, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Clinical Research Centre, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁸ Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia; Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Clinical Research Centre, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 24284164
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2013.10.017

Abstract

Objective: Primary care clinicians have considerable potential to provide preventive care. This study describes their preventive care delivery.

Methods: A survey of 384 community health nurses and allied health clinicians from in New South Wales, Australia was undertaken (2010-11) to examine the assessment of client risk, provision of brief advice and referral/follow-up regarding smoking inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol misuse, and physical inactivity; the existence of preventive care support strategies; and the association between supports and preventive care provision.

Results: Preventive care to 80% or more clients was least often provided for referral/follow-up (24.7-45.6% of clinicians for individual risks, and 24.2% for all risks) and most often for assessment (34.4-69.3% of clinicians for individual risks, and 24.4% for all risks). Approximately 75% reported having 9 or fewer of 17 supports. Provision of care was associated with: availability of a paper screening tool; training; GP referral letter; and number of supports.

Conclusion: The delivery of preventive care was limited, and varied according to type of care and risk. Supports were variably associated with elements of preventive care.

Practice implications: Further research is required to increase routine preventive care delivery and the availability of supports.

Keywords: Community health services; Delivery of health care; Health care providers; Health risk behaviors; Heath prevention.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Allied Health Personnel*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Behavior*
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Life Style
Male
Middle Aged
New South Wales
Nurses*
Practice Patterns, Nurses'
Prevalence
Preventive Health Services / organization & administration*
Primary Health Care / organization & administration*
Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*
Risk Assessment
Risk Reduction Behavior*
Risk-Taking
Smoking Prevention
Vegetables
Young Adult