Susana P Fernández Sánchez1, Maria Rusiñol Badals2, Isabel Padró Blanch3, Carlos Paytubí Garí4, Ana Laiz Alonso5, Carmen Moragues Pastor6. 1. Unidad de Reumatología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: sfernandez@santpau.cat. 2. Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Mutua de Terrassa, Barcelona, España. 3. Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, España. 4. Departamento de Medicina Interna y Urgencias, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, España. 5. Unidad de Reumatología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, España. 6. Unidad de Reumatología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Platón, Barcelona, España.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Describe and analyze nursing activity in rheumatology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in Spanish rheumatology departments. Results were based on surveys administered to rheumatology nurses. We included variables on socio-demographics, the setting and available resources, and the activities they carried out. Each activity was compared in terms of workplace, available resources and dedication exclusively to one field. RESULTS: Sixty-seven surveys were collected from 57 hospitals in 17 Spanish autonomous communities. 97% of the nurses were women, with an average age of 48.9 years and an average nursing experience of 6 years. 56% of the professionals had gained their experience in outpatient clinics, 35% in day hospitals and 9% in inpatient and primary care. As for the availability of resources, 59% had their own office, 77.3% had a phone listing and 60% scheduled and conducted patient visits. Of the 19 activities included, those performed by the highest number of nurses were managing, monitoring and coordinating the use of biological drugs (90.9%), therapy monitoring (89.4%) and training patients in self-medication (89.4%). The activity in which nurses most frequently collaborated with physicians was the administration of local injections (51.5%). Other activities were teaching (50%) and research (78.8%) in their departments and studies in the nursing field (51.5%). Work in outpatient clinics versus day hospitals showed statistically significant differences for health education, nutrition, splinting and bandaging, and collaboration in ultrasound studies. CONCLUSION: These professionals performed a greater number of activities when they worked in outpatient clinics, had their own office and worked exclusively in rheumatology.
OBJECTIVE: Describe and analyze nursing activity in rheumatology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in Spanish rheumatology departments. Results were based on surveys administered to rheumatology nurses. We included variables on socio-demographics, the setting and available resources, and the activities they carried out. Each activity was compared in terms of workplace, available resources and dedication exclusively to one field. RESULTS: Sixty-seven surveys were collected from 57 hospitals in 17 Spanish autonomous communities. 97% of the nurses were women, with an average age of 48.9 years and an average nursing experience of 6 years. 56% of the professionals had gained their experience in outpatient clinics, 35% in day hospitals and 9% in inpatient and primary care. As for the availability of resources, 59% had their own office, 77.3% had a phone listing and 60% scheduled and conducted patient visits. Of the 19 activities included, those performed by the highest number of nurses were managing, monitoring and coordinating the use of biological drugs (90.9%), therapy monitoring (89.4%) and training patients in self-medication (89.4%). The activity in which nurses most frequently collaborated with physicians was the administration of local injections (51.5%). Other activities were teaching (50%) and research (78.8%) in their departments and studies in the nursing field (51.5%). Work in outpatient clinics versus day hospitals showed statistically significant differences for health education, nutrition, splinting and bandaging, and collaboration in ultrasound studies. CONCLUSION: These professionals performed a greater number of activities when they worked in outpatient clinics, had their own office and worked exclusively in rheumatology.