International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 20, Number 11 > Pp. 754-756

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Original research articles

Nurse-led sexually transmitted disease clinics: staff perceptions concerning the quality of the service

A Mindel FRACP FAChSHM ^* , J S A Fennema MD PhD , E Christie BLibSt MIPH ^* and E van Leent MD PhD 

^* Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Centre (STIRC) and the University of Sydney, Marian Villa, Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW 2145, Australia; GGD Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, Postbus 220, 1000 CE Amsterdam, Netherlands

Correspondence to: Dr A Mindel Email: a.mindel{at}usyd.edu.au

The aim of this study was to evaluate staff perception of a nurse-led sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinical service. The staff at the Amsterdam STI clinic were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. A series of eight questions was designed to determine the perceived advantages or disadvantages of nurse-led clinics, based on personal experience, using a Likert scale. After completion of the structured interview, the staff were offered the opportunity of providing comments. All 36 members of staff completed the survey. Twenty-seven (75%) agreed or strongly agreed that nurse-led clinics provided more time with patients. Sixty-four percent agreed or strongly agreed that such a service provided greater confidentiality and 94% agreed or strongly agreed that ‘nurse-led clinics provided a high level of job satisfaction for nurses.’ In contrast, only 64% agreed or strongly agreed that nurse-led clinics provided a high level of job satisfaction for doctors. When staff comments were evaluated, four common themes emerged. First, that this was an efficient way of providing services; second, that the clinic was a pleasant environment, there was excellent teamwork and greater job satisfaction; third, that a good deal of rivalry existed between doctors and nurses and finally, that there was a need for and importance of protocols, rules and staff training and development. In conclusion, there was a high level of staff satisfaction with the service. Nurse-led STI clinics may be a useful adjunct to existing STI facilities.

Key Words: nurse-led STD clinics • staff perceptions • confidentiality • job satisfaction • teamwork

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