Primary care nurse specialist guide

Primary health care is a key health concern in South Africa and there is a need for nurse education and training programmes to graduate nurses in primary health care. The South African Nursing Council (SANC) has responded to this need by developing programmes to promote skills and knowledge in the area, including the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing, at which this publication is aimed.
Primary Care Nurse Specialist Guide has been developed by a multi-institutional team of experts in the field. It offers a comprehensive, up-to-date guide for primary health care specialists and is based on the SANC and International Nursing Council competencies. The book is divided into six sections covering the following topics:
Assessment, physical examination and diagnosis of common conditions
Management of key conditions according to the burden of disease
Health promotion and behavioural change
Professional, ethical and legal practice
Leadership and management
Informatics and research
The book features up-to-date, evidence-based content on assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care that are essential for clinical practice, leadership, management, informatics and research. Person-centred language conveys the importance of the patient being at the centre of care and the book emphasises collaborative decision-making and patient empowerment. Simple, clear line drawings integrate with the text to illustrate key areas of practice. The application of content is enhanced through scenarios which help students apply the theory to clinical practice. A glossary of terms assists with consolidating key concepts in the book.