Abstract:
<h4>Aims</h4>Examine trends in nurse's contribution to diabetes funded programmes,estimate total nurse consultations, and document the division of diabetes care between doctors and nurses in general practice.<h4>Methods</h4>All primary health care nurses in Auckland were identified in 2006-8 and 2016 and 26% and 24% were randomly surveyed, achieving response rates of 86%and 73%, respectively. Participants completed a self-administered and telephone questionnaire detailing their contribution to diabetes funded programmes.<h4>Results</h4>In response to more people with diabetes, significantly more nurses in 2016 consulted patients, provided follow-up care, completed Diabetes Annual Reviews independently of doctors (48%), accessed more educational resources (including theinternet) and 63% felt supported, compared with 27% and 55% of nurses respectively,in 2006-8. The main reason nurses surveyed did not participate in diabetes reviews was because designated nurses conducted them, with more reporting this in 2016 (55%) compared to 32% in 2006-8. Most nurses in the 2016 survey addressed cardiovascular risk such as blood pressure, smoking cessation, physical activity and nutrition during the review.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Nurses conducted more diabetes consultations and reviews, addressed cardiovascular risk in 2016 and reported increased support for participating in diabetes reviews within general practice, compared with nurses in 2006-8.
