Capturing the Work of Nurses in General Practice: Development and Testing of the OCEAN-GPN Tools

Aim: To provide a worked example of the process used in developing data collection tools to measure the profile and practice of Australian general practice nurses (GPNs). Design: Methodological discussion. Methods: An iterative design process encompassing the steps of sandpit development, alpha, beta and pilot (field) testing, alongside stakeholder consultations, was used to develop the Occasions of Care Explained and Analysed (OCEAN)-GPN tools. At each stage, the ‘think-aloud’ method was used to collect qualitative data and a user survey measured satisfaction with tool development. Results: The application of user-centred design principles shows how the data collection tools were developed for this major national study. Examples of iterative testing strategies illustrate how participants' experiences can inform data-collection processes. Conclusion: The OCEAN-GPN tools have been rigorously developed to capture Australian GPNs' profile and clinical activity. The iterative processes and extensive consultation ensured that the tools were fit for purpose and met user needs. Collection of study data using these tools will enable evaluation to inform policy, research, education and clinical practice.