Impact of a nurse managed clinic in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

This article indicates the importance of evaluation in the practice of professional nursing. In the chronically ill neurological population both process (what the nurse actually does) and outcome measures need to be considered when formulating the objectives and scope of service to be provided by the clinical nurse specialist. For this population, morbidity was a natural evaluative measure for the nurse to employ as an index of intervention effectiveness. This does not mean to imply that nurses are the sole persons who can manage this type of outpatient clinic, but rather that nursing can play a pivotal part in the promotion of health for this particular group of neurologically disabled individuals. For this population, a consistent caregiver is important in implementing a rehabilitative approach to manage the interdisciplinary effort needed to help these individuals and their families maintain or improve health.