DIET & NUTRITION 
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OBESITY/WEIGHT MANAGEMENT 
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GUIDELINES/RECOMMENDATIONS 
Scoping review defines nurse-led clinics in primary care and examines 36 studies showing these clinics deliver care equal to or better than GP-led care while spending 100+ minutes more per patient. Review identifies critical success factors including physician champions, community partnerships, and sustainable funding models that determine clinic viability.
🔬 CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Nurse-led clinics achieve commensurate outcomes to physician care for chronic disease management, mental health, and preventive services at lower delivery costs.
- Extended consultation times (up to 100 minutes longer) drive improved patient knowledge, medication adherence, and satisfaction without compromising clinical outcomes.
- Physician resistance remains largest professional barrier, as success requires medical champions who advocate for task-shifting and demonstrate burden reduction through nurse competence.
- Financial sustainability uncertain under current fee-for-service models; a clinic requires policy changes enabling nurse billing and reimbursement structures supporting extended consultation times.
💡 PRACTICE APPLICATIONS
- Document that nurse-led care encompasses assessment, treatment, case management, counseling, and coordination—not task-oriented practice.
- Establish credentialing requirements and continuing education protocols to ensure nurses work within appropriate scope of practice.
- Build community stakeholder partnerships and co-design solutions rather than imposing “business as usual” primary care models.
- Calculate true costs including consultation time, space, administrative support, and staff coverage when planning clinic financial sustainability.
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