Content and Outcomes of Dutch Nurse Clinics for Children with Asthma

Abstract

Dutch specialist asthma nurses run extramural and transmural nurse clinics for children with asthma. Extramural clinics are run under the responsibility and in the premises of a home care organization. Transmural clinics are run in an outpatient clinic in close collaboration and joint responsibility between home care organizations and hospitals.

Effects of and differences between these clinics were determined by using a quasi-experimental design. Visiting a nurse clinic appears to result in a reduced information need and reduced use of health care services. Parents of asthmatic children visiting transmural nurse clinics appeared to have a lower information need than those attending extramural nurse clinics.

• Nurse clinics
• Children with asthma
• Patient education
• Nursing care
• Information needs
• Health care utilization

Notes

*The term “parent” will be used henceforth to indicate both asthmatic children and their parents.