The role of practice nurses in an integrated model of cardiovascular disease management in Australian general practice

While various models of chronic disease management have been developed and evaluated, minimal data is available relating specifically to Australian general practice and, in particular, the role of the nurse within the multidisciplinary general practice team. This paper presents a multidisciplinary model of cardiovascular disease management, focused on Australian general practice, and identifies barriers and facilitators to its implementation. This model was developed from data arising from a series of investigations that (1) examined the epidemiology and current general practice management of cardiovascular disease (2) explored the demographics and role of the practice nurse, and (3) established strategic recommendations for future practice development. The model proposes an integrated and multidisciplinary cardiovascular disease management framework to inform policy-makers and health planners in the development of primary health services in Australian general practice.