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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Care | Research article

Pediatric nurses in pediatricians’ offices: a survey for primary care pediatricians

Authors: Immacolata Dall’Oglio, Giovanni Vitali Rosati, Valentina Biagioli, Emanuela Tiozzo, Orsola Gawronski, Riccardo Ricci, Antonio Garofalo, Simone Piga, Simone Gramaccioni, Claudio Di Maria, Valentina Vanzi, Alessandra Querciati, Rosaria Alvaro, Luciana Biancalani, Ersilia Buonomo, Mattia Doria, Alberto Villani

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The role played by nurses in caring for children in pediatricians’ officies in the community is crucial to ensure integrated care. In Italy, pediatricians are responsible for the health of children aged 0–14 years living in the community. This study aimed to describe Italian primary care pediatricians’ opinions about the usefulness of several nursing activities that pediatric nurses could perform in pediatricians’ offices.

Methods

An online survey with pediatricians working in primary care in Italy was conducted between April–December 2018. A 40-item questionnaire was used to assess four types of nursing activities: clinical care, healthcare education, disease prevention, and organizational activities. The answers ranged from 1 (not useful at all) to 6 (very useful). Moreover, three open-ended questions completed the questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 707 pediatricians completed the online survey. Participants were mainly female (63%), with a mean age of 57.74 (SD = 6.42). The presence of a pediatric nurse within the pediatrician’s office was considered very useful, especially for healthcare education (Mean 4.90; SD 1.12) and disease prevention (Mean 4.82; SD 1.11). Multivariate analysis confirmed that pediatricians ‘with less working experience’, ‘having their office in a small town’, and ‘collaborating with a secretary and other workers in the office’ rated the nurse’s activities significantly more useful.

Conclusions

A pediatric nurse in the pediatrician’s office can significantly contribute to many activities for children and their families in the community. These activities include clinical care, healthcare education, disease prevention, and the organizational processes of the office. Synergic professional activity between pediatricians and pediatric nurses could ensure higher health care standards in the primary care setting.

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Title: Pediatric nurses in pediatricians’ offices: a survey for primary care pediatricians
Authors: Immacolata Dall’Oglio
Giovanni Vitali Rosati
Valentina Biagioli
Emanuela Tiozzo
Orsola Gawronski
Riccardo Ricci
Antonio Garofalo
Simone Piga
Simone Gramaccioni
Claudio Di Maria
Valentina Vanzi
Alessandra Querciati
Rosaria Alvaro
Luciana Biancalani
Ersilia Buonomo
Mattia Doria
Alberto Villani
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01457-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Pediatric nurses in pediatricians’ offices: a survey for primary care pediatricians

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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