scholarly journals General Practice in urban and rural New Zealand: Results of the 2007 RNZCGP membership survey

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhukar Mel Pande
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Health Care Workforce ◽  
Survey Form ◽  
Primary Health

INTRODUCTION: The provision of primary health care is an integral part of both a country’s health system, and of the overall social and economic development of its communities. An adequate general practice and primary health care workforce is a prerequisite to the provision of good primary health care. Countries with stronger primary health care services have better health and much lower health costs. This paper reports the results of the RNZCGP’s 2007 annual membership survey and discusses workforce development in urban and rural New Zealand (NZ). METHOD: In 2007, the RNZCGP sent a survey form to all its financial members as part of the annual subscriptions mail-out to gather data about College members’ current working patterns and help construct a longitudinal view of work preferences and hours worked per week. RESULTS: The response rate was 59% (1995 members/participants: 1098 males (55%) and 897 females). More female GPs (86%) worked in urban centres than male GPs (83%). NZ European GPs were over-represented (67%) in the South Island when compared to their representation within the total population. Numbers of international medical graduates (IMGs) had increased in urban centres since 2005. All regions experienced a decrease in self-employed GPs. Rural GPs spend more hours per week in general practice than urban GPs. CONCLUSION: The GP workforce is an integral part of the NZ primary health care workforce, and is currently facing many challenges. Stakeholders need to ensure that NZ remains an attractive primary health care environment in order to retain NZ-trained GPs and attract IMGs. KEYWORDS: Family physician, New Zealand, rural health services, manpower

Understanding the general practice nursing workforce in New Zealand: an overview of characteristics 2015–19

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Hewitt ◽  
Nicolette F. Sheridan ◽  
Karen Hoare ◽  
Jane E. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Nursing Workforce ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Role Confusion

Limited knowledge about the nursing workforce in New Zealand general practice inhibits the optimal use of nurses in this increasingly complex setting. Using workforce survey data published biennially by the Nursing Council of New Zealand, this study describes the characteristics of nurses in general practice and contrasts them with the greater nursing workforce, including consideration of changes in the profiles between 2015 and 2019. The findings suggest the general practice nursing workforce is older, less diverse, more predominately New Zealand trained and very much more likely to work part-time than other nurses. There is evidence that nurses in general practice are increasingly primary health care focused, as they take on expanded roles and responsibilities. However, ambiguity about terminology and the inability to track individuals in the data are limitations of this study. Therefore, it was not possible to identify and describe cohorts of nurses in general practice by important characteristics, such as prescribing authority, regionality and rurality. A greater national focus on defining and tracking this pivotal workforce is called for to overcome role confusion and better facilitate the use of nursing scopes of practice.

scholarly journals Why are there gaps in our management of those with high cardiovascular risk?

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Doolan-Noble ◽  
Jocelyn Tracey ◽  
Stewart Mann
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
High Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Text Data ◽  
Primary Health

INTRODUCTION: Multiple New Zealand and other international studies have identified gaps in the management of those identified at high risk of a future cardiovascular (CV) event. This study sought to explore the views of health professionals about the barriers and facilitators present within the current primary health care system to the optimal management of those at high CV risk. METHODS: This qualitative study utilised a focus group methodology to examine the barriers and facilitators within primary health care (PHC), and employed a general inductive approach to analyse the text data. FINDINGS: The analysis of text data resulted in the emergence of interrelated themes, underpinned by subthemes. The patient, their circumstances and their characteristics and perceptions provided the first key theme and subthemes. The next key theme was primary health care providers, with subthemes of communication and values and beliefs. The general practice was the third theme and included multiple subthemes: implementation planning and pathway development, time and workload and roles and responsibilities. The final main theme was the health system with the subthemes linking to funding and leadership. CONCLUSION: This study determined the factors that act as barriers and facilitators to the effective management of those at high CV risk within the New Zealand PHC sector. General practice has a pivotal role in preventive health care, but to succeed there needs to be a refocusing of the PHC sector, requiring support from policy makers, District Health Boards and Primary Health Organisations, as well as those working in the sector. KEYWORDS: Primary health care; high cardiovascular risk management; general practitioners; practice nurses; barriers; facilitators

scholarly journals The Pacific primary health care workforce in New Zealand: What are the needs?

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Ape-Esera ◽  
Vili Nosa ◽  
Felicity Goodyear-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Health Care Workforce ◽  
Pacific People ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Pacific Population ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
The Impact

AIM: To scope future needs of the NZ Pacific primary care workforce. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews with key informants including Pacific primary care workers in both Pacific and mainstream primary health care organisations and managers at funding, policy and strategy levels. Qualitative thematic analysis using general inductive approach. RESULTS: Thirteen stakeholders interviewed (four males, nine females) in 2006. Included both NZ- and Island-born people of Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, Fijian and NZ European ethnicities; age 20–65 years. Occupations included general practitioner, practice nurse, community worker, Ministry of Health official and manager representing mainstream and Pacific-specific organisations. Key themes were significant differences in attributes, needs and values between ‘traditional’ and contemporary Pacific people; issues regarding recruitment and retention of Pacific people into the primary health care workforce; importance of cultural appropriateness for Pacific populations utilising mainstream and Pacific-specific primary care services and both advantages and disadvantages of ‘Pacific for Pacific’ services. CONCLUSION: Interviews demonstrated heterogeneity of Pacific population regarding ethnicity, age, duration of NZ residence and degree of immersion in their culture and language. Higher rates of mental disorder amongst NZ-born Pacific signpost urgent need to address the impact of Western values on NZ-born Pacific youth. Pacific population growth means increasing demands on health services with Pacific worker shortages across all primary health care occupations. However it is not possible for all Pacific people to be treated by Pacific organisations and/or by Pacific health workers and services should be culturally competent regardless of ethnicity of providers. KEYWORDS: Pacific Islands, New Zealand, manpower, ethnic groups, Oceanic Ancestry Group, primary health care

scholarly journals The Nursing Presence in General Practice: Revealing Dimensions of Day-to-day Experience of Practice Nurses in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katrina Fyers
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Nursing Leaders ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
General Practices

<p>This study makes visible and gives value to the day-to-day experience of practice nurses who work in New Zealand general practices. Nursing leaders internationally and locally have highlighted the importance of the Primary Health Care nurse to improving health outcomes, addressing inequalities and implementing new models of care. As one of the largest groups of Primary Health Care nurses, practice nurses have a significant part to play. There is however, no consensus and limited research related to the day-to-day experience of practice nurses. Therefore, the nature, extent, and contribution of nursing in general practice may be overlooked or misunderstood. Furthermore as an autonomous self-regulating profession, nursing has a responsibility to the public to provide understanding of nursing in the present and in the future, particularly when this relates to the care of families and the structure of health systems. Located within the qualitative research paradigm and utilising a narrative inquiry methodology, this study applies a 'supportive voice' to highlight the experience of five practice nurses, and in the process makes visible the dimensions of nursing work in New Zealand general practices. The five constructed narratives particularly draw attention to the complex nature of nursing work that practice nurses engage in daily, the importance of nurse-patient relationships and continuity of care and the significance of autonomous and specialty aspects of nursing practice. Ultimately, the value of the practice nurse in the day-to-day operation of general practice is brought to the fore.</p>

scholarly journals The Nursing Presence in General Practice: Revealing Dimensions of Day-to-day Experience of Practice Nurses in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katrina Fyers
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Nursing Leaders ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
General Practices

<p>This study makes visible and gives value to the day-to-day experience of practice nurses who work in New Zealand general practices. Nursing leaders internationally and locally have highlighted the importance of the Primary Health Care nurse to improving health outcomes, addressing inequalities and implementing new models of care. As one of the largest groups of Primary Health Care nurses, practice nurses have a significant part to play. There is however, no consensus and limited research related to the day-to-day experience of practice nurses. Therefore, the nature, extent, and contribution of nursing in general practice may be overlooked or misunderstood. Furthermore as an autonomous self-regulating profession, nursing has a responsibility to the public to provide understanding of nursing in the present and in the future, particularly when this relates to the care of families and the structure of health systems. Located within the qualitative research paradigm and utilising a narrative inquiry methodology, this study applies a 'supportive voice' to highlight the experience of five practice nurses, and in the process makes visible the dimensions of nursing work in New Zealand general practices. The five constructed narratives particularly draw attention to the complex nature of nursing work that practice nurses engage in daily, the importance of nurse-patient relationships and continuity of care and the significance of autonomous and specialty aspects of nursing practice. Ultimately, the value of the practice nurse in the day-to-day operation of general practice is brought to the fore.</p>

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