چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background:Chlamydia infection is a significant public health issue for young people; however, testing rates in
Australian general practice are low. Practice nurses (PNs) could have an important role in contributing to increasing
chlamydia testing rates. The Australian Chlamydia Control Effectiveness Pilot (ACCEPt), a large cluster randomised
control trial of annual testing for 16 to 29 year olds in general practice, is the first to investigate the role of PNs in
maximising testing rates. In order to assess the scope for PN involvement, we aimed to explore PN’s views in
relation to involvement in chlamydia testing in general practice.
Methods:Semi structured interviews were conducted between June 2011 and April 2012 with a purposive sample
of 23 PNs participating in ACCEPt. Interview data was thematically analysed using a conventional content analysis
approach.
Results:The participants in our study supported an increased role for PNs in chlamydia testing and identified a
number of patient benefits from this involvement, such as an improved service with greater access to testing and
patients feeling more comfortable engaging with a nurse rather than a doctor. An alleviation of doctors’ workloads
and expansion of the nurse’s role were also identified as benefits at a clinic level. Time and workload constraints
were commonly considered barriers to chlamydia testing, along with concerns around privacy in the“small town”
rural settings of the general practices. Some felt negative GP attitudes as well as issues with funding for PNs’ work
could also be barriers. The provision of training and education, streamlining chlamydia testing pathways in clinics
and changes to pathology ordering processes would facilitate nurse involvement in chlamydia testing.
Conclusion:This study suggests that PNs could take a role in increasing chlamydia testing in general practice and
that their involvement may result in possible benefits for patients, doctors, PNs and the community. Strategies to
overcome identified barriers and facilitate their involvement must be further explored.