Nurses with pediatricians in pediatric outpatient clinics: A survey on family pediatricians' opinions

Introduction: Pediatric nurses next to family pediatricians could contribute to several activities, included limiting inappropriate access to the emergency room. Aim: To describe the perceived benefit of the activities that could be performed by pediatric nurses in the pediatrician's clinic according to the opinion of family pediatricians. Methods: Pilot on-line survey with family pediatricians, using list of activities grouped in four areas: "Care of pediatric patients with illnesses and disabilities", "Health education", "Prevention of diseases" and "Coordination and organizational activities". For each activity a judgement of benefit (1= not useful at all; 6= very useful) was reported. Results: Overall, 178 family pediatricians participated in the survey; 55% of them were female, mean age was 55 years. They rated as very useful both the presence of a pediatric nurse in their clinic (mean 5.37+1.06) and would recommend it to a colleague (5.36+1.05). Health education was perceived as the most important area of activity (4.88+0.97). The more they considered useful the pediatric nurse in their clinic, the higher they rated relevant the activities of the pediatric nurse (r=0.60-0.70). Older and more experienced pediatricians found less useful educational (r=-0.19 p<0.05; r=-0.23 p<0.01) and prevention (r=-0.18 p<0.05; r=-0.24 p<0.01) activities compared to younger and less experienced pediatricians. Conclusions: Pediatricians consider very helpful a pediatric nurse in their clinic, for clinical, educational and organizational activities.