Vårdcentralschefers perspektiv på distriktssköterskors förskrivningsrätt
DistriktssköterskorPrimärvårdLedarskapOmvårdnads enhetschefDistrct nursesDrug prescriptionsPrimary healthLeadershipNursing unit managers
Background: In 1994 came the general prescription law in force for the district nurses with specific training in pharmacology and pathology in Sweden. According to The National Board of Health and Welfare from 2004 follow-up of the use of the prescription law revealed that nearly half of the district nurses used their prescription once a week. According to previous research the district nurses and patients were positive to the district nurses administration of prescriptions. Doctors, contrariwise, were not as favorable to the district nurses administration of prescriptions. The responsibility of the heads of the health centers is to promote the district nurses to prescribe and make sure that it works in a satisfactory manner. The authors of the study have not been able to see any research on the heads of the health centers? perceptions of the district nurse administration of prescriptions. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the head of health centers? experiences of the district nurses prescribing. Method: Semi-structured interviews were made with four heads of health centers. A qualitative content analysis was performed. Results: All respondents in the study have a positive attitude to the district nurses administration of prescriptions. In the result, the authors have come up with four categories of interviews: Patient benefit, Effectiveness of care, prescribing as a benefit, supportive leadership. The heads of health centers experienced district nurse prescribing as an asset. Patients received faster care, advice for self-care and assessments of their health. The administration of prescriptions was economically costly in the Västra Götalandsregion and all informants welcomed the district nurses prescribing in the future and that it could be even increased. The leaderships had a major role in supporting district nurses daring to prescribe more and get a better interaction between the different professions. Conclusion: In previous research, we have seen the district nurses, the patients and the doctors' perception of the district nurse administration of prescriptions. The authors still get a positive perception of all interviewers to administration of prescriptions right is beneficial both for the patient, the district nurse, the doctor and the primary health care as a whole. The heads of the health center can with the help of good leadership affect the district nurses profession and administration of prescriptions.