Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) ranks among the highest in Canada for chronic diseases and risk factors for chronic disease. The province has committed to addressing this issue by integrating interdisciplinary health care teams into primary health care settings. As interdisciplinary models of care are becoming more prominent within Canadian health care systems, so are the roles of nurses, including nurse practitioners (NP), registered nurses (RN), and licensed practical nurses (LPN). To better understand the importance of nurses to primary care teams, a scoping literature review was conducted. The review aimed to synthesize published and non-published research findings related to nursing in primary care settings across Atlantic Canadian provinces (i.e. New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island). A total of 21 articles were included in the review. RNs and NPs in primary care settings were discussed in many articles, while no articles focused on LPNs. There was clear emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. However, the function of nurses in primary care was found to be limited by institutional constraints and influence of other care providers. The primary nursing roles identified were chronic disease management, education, and health promotion. The specific actions of nurses in these roles was not clear. Primary care settings that incorporate nurses were found to be related to positive patient health outcomes, improved access to services, and high patient satisfaction. This scoping review highlighted gaps in knowledge related to nurses as part of interdisciplinary primary health care teams in Atlantic Canada. Clarification of the role of nurses in chronic disease management, health promotion, and preventive care is needed. There is great potential for future research into the specific characteristics of nursing and primary care teams that result in positive patient and system outcomes.