Family nurses provide medical care to families at all stages of life, including physical exams, treatment of basic health problems, and monitoring and treatment of chronic illnesses and disabilities. They establish relationships with patients and may refer them to other professionals if necessary. They also provide outreach and education to improve public health.
A family nurse provides medical care to families at all stages of life. Like family doctors, these health professionals can provide a range of basic services to patients and act as an initial point of contact with the medical system. In the event that a patient needs care that the nurse cannot provide, it may be necessary to refer to another professional. Hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities need family nurses to provide services to their patients.
One aspect of this job involves physical exams, examining patients well and treating them for basic health problems. The family nurse establishes a relationship with patients and follows them throughout their lives, from birth to aging and death. In addition to dealing with generally healthy patients, these caregivers may also be involved in the monitoring and treatment of chronic illnesses and disabilities. Continuity of care for patients with existing medical conditions can be critical, and the family nurse practitioner can be an important point of contact for the patient and the care team.
Patients with minor medical complaints may see a family physician for evaluation. Some treatments can be performed in the clinic, and the healthcare professional may also order medical imaging studies and other tests to learn more about the condition. If it is too complex for the family nursing professional to provide adequate care, the next step is referral. For example, if a patient comes in and the test reveals a high-risk pregnancy, she would need to look for an obstetrician who focuses on handling these cases.
In hospital and clinical settings, a wide range of patients may be referred to a family nurse practitioner to determine whether they can be treated or, instead, referred to the ladder for escalated care. These health professionals may also work in offices, schools and other places where basic first aid and health services may be needed. As people report being sick, the doctor can examine them, determine if they need treatment, and provide a place to rest and recover before resuming work or school activities.
This work often includes outreach and education. Family nurses can teach community interest classes to keep community members informed about important health care issues. They can also work with at-risk populations to address specific issues of concern, such as addictive behaviors, to reduce the need for health services in these communities. Prevention of health crises and proactive public education can improve public health and patient outcomes when illness arises.
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