A nurse clinician's role in the management of hypertension.

The nurse has assumed more responsibility for patients with hypertension, not only in their education, but also in their follow-up. In this study the physician was aware of each patient's progress through conference with the nurse clinician. In addition, the nurse clinician consulted the physician about any problems or questions that arose. The nurse also served an educational role by informing patients about their disease and the side effects of the medications being used in their therapy. Since the physician was aware of the progress of these patients, his time was freed for other purposes. The nurse clinician's role in the management of hypertension was beneficial not only to the patient, but also to the physician.