Primary health care is a key health concern in South Africa and there is a need for nurse education and training programmes to graduate nurses in primary health care. The South African Nursing Council (SANC) has responded to this need by developing programmes to promote skills and knowledge in the area, including the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing, at which this publication is aimed.
Primary Care Nurse Specialist Guide has been developed by a multi-institutional team of experts in the field. It offers a comprehensive, up-to-date guide for primary health care specialists and is based on the SANC and International Nursing Council competencies. The book is divided into six sections covering the following topics:
The book features up-to-date, evidence-based content on assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care that are essential for clinical practice, leadership, management, informatics and research. Person-centred language conveys the importance of the patient being at the centre of care and the book emphasises collaborative decision-making and patient empowerment. Simple, clear line drawings integrate with the text to illustrate key areas of practice. The application of content is enhanced through scenarios which help students apply the theory to clinical practice. A glossary of terms assists with consolidating key concepts in the book.
Section 1 Assessment, physical examination and diagnosis of common conditions
Chapter 1: Comprehensive history taking and the integrated consultation
Chapter 2: Overview of basic physical examination skills
Chapter 3: The general assessment of a patient
Chapter 4: The assessment of a person with a skin problem
Chapter 5: Assessment of a person with an ear, nose, throat or thyroid problem
Chapter 6: Assessment of a person with visual problems
Chapter 7: Assessment of a person with a cardiovascular problem
Chapter 8: Assessment of a person with a respiratory problem
Chapter 9: Assessment of a person with a breast problem
Chapter 10: Assessment of a person with a gastrointestinal system problem
Chapter 11: Assessment of a person with a genitourinary problem
Chapter 12: Assessment of a person with a musculoskeletal problem
Chapter 13: Assessment of a person with a neurological problem
Chapter 14: Assessment of a child
Section 2 Management of key conditions according to the burden of disease
Chapter 15: Managing people living with HIV and/or TB
Chapter 16: Managing people living with chronic conditions
Chapter 17: Pain management in primary care
Chapter 18: Women’s and men’s sexual reproductive health
Chapter 19: Management of people with mental health problems
Chapter 20: Management of geriatrics
Chapter 21: Emergency care in primary care
Chapter 22: Occupational health in primary health care
Chapter 23: Rehabilitation and palliative care in primary health care
Chapter 24: Comprehensive child and adolescent health
Section 3 Health promotion and behavioural change
Chapter 25: Health promotion
Chapter 26: Behavioural change
Section 4 Professional, ethical and legal practice
Chapter 27: Professional, ethical and legal matters in primary care
Chapter 28: Rational prescribing and medicines management in primary care
Section 5 Management and leadershipCh
apter 29: Leadership and development in primary care
Chapter 30: Continuous Professional Development
Chapter 31: Clinical teaching and learning in primary care
Chapter 32: Communication, teamwork and collaboration
Chapter 33: Management and quality improvement in primary healthcare
Section 6 Informatics and research
Chapter 34: Health informatics
Chapter 35: Scholarship and evidence-based practice
